Press Releases
Currently showing results related to K-12 Education
Chairman Scott Reacts to 2022 National “Report Card”
10.24.22 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Committee Chair Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the results of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments. The 2022 NAEP found significant declines in math and reading scores for grades 4 and 8 compared to 2019. In math, average score declines were historic, and achievement gaps widened for our most vulnerable studen… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Urges Passage of Mental Health Matters Act
09.29.22 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) submitted the following remarks in support of H.R. 7780, the Mental Health Matters Act, into the Congressional Record. “I rise today in strong support of the Mental Health Matters Act, led by the gentleman from California, Mr. DeSaulnier. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis among students, workers, and families. “In 2021, over 44 percent of students experienced persis… Continue Reading
Chairman Sablan Opening Statement at “Back to School” Hearing
09.20.22 WASHINGTON - Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Gregorio Sablan (NMI-At Large) delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “Back to School: Meeting Students Social and Emotional Needs.” “As students across the country return to the classroom for the 2022-2023 school year, the Committee is meeting today to discuss how our nation’s schools are helping students get back on track academically and meet their social and emotional needs. “The … Continue Reading
Chairs Scott, Murray Applaud Release of New Guidance on School Discipline
07.19.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Education released new guidance for states and school districts to help school leaders address disparities in discipline for students with disabilities. In 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that students with disabilities, along with Black students and boys, face disproportionate rates of discipline when compared to their peers. “The guidance the Biden administration issued today will help schools keep students and staff safe. Regre… Continue Reading
New Government Watchdog Report Finds Growing Racial Segregation in Schools
07.14.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott released a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found persistent and growing racial and socioeconomic segregation in K-12 public schools. Specifically, the GAO found that, in the 2020-2021 school year, more than one in three public school students attended a school where 75 percent or more of the student population were of a single race or ethnicity. Even more concerning, the report found that district secession—a… Continue Reading
ICYMI: On 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Chairman Scott Delivers Remarks at Unveiling of Portrait of Former Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink
06.23.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during a ceremony to unveil the portrait of former Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink in Statuary Hall. View more photos from the event here. “Congresswoman Patsy Mink has an unquestionable place among the portraits of this institution’s trailblazers. As you know, Congresswoman Mink became the first Asian-American woman, in fact, the first woman of color to serve in Congress at a time when the country was n… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds New Proposed Changes to Title IX Rules
06.23.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education released new proposed Title IX regulations. “The Education Department’s new proposed Title IX regulations mark a monumental step in our fight to address sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination in K-12 and higher education—all while preserving the rights of the accused. By expanding the critical protections under this law, the new regulations would help ensure that … Continue Reading
What People Are Saying: Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022
06.23.22 WASHINGTON — On June 21, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (NC-05), along with Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR), announced an agreement to help school and summer providers keep kids fed. The Keep Kids Fed Act (H.R. 8150) will provide important funding and flexibility for communities to provide children healthy meals this summer and provide … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Carson v. Makin SCOTUS Decision
06.21.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Carson v. Makin. Maine offers a tuition assistance program to parents in areas of the state where public secondary schools are not available contingent upon private schools meeting certain criteria, including that the education be ‘nonsectarian.’ However, in today’s decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Maine must also allow religious schools access the publicall… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Praises Executive Order to Protect LGBTQI+ Americans
06.15.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of executive actions to promote equality for LGBTQI+ Americans. “I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its continued commitment to protecting LGBTQI+ individuals against discrimination. Specifically, today’s executive order marks a critical step toward providing LGBTQI+ students with safe and supportive classrooms, safeguarding LGBTQI+ children … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Celebrates House Passage of Historic Government Funding Bill
03.09.22 WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) omnibus spending package. “Today, the House passed a government funding package that makes historic investments in students, workers, and families. “I am particularly pleased that the omnibus takes key steps to address long-standing inequities in education. The package includes a $1 billion increase in fundin… Continue Reading
New GAO Report: Chronic Underinvestment in School Facilities Leaves Low-Income School Districts Unprepared for the Next Disaster
01.18.22 WASHINGTON - A new report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that chronic underinvestment in school facilities has left schools vulnerable to natural disasters that could cause prolonged closures and put states on the hook for billions of dollars. According to the report, school districts serving high proportions of children and families who are low income, people of color, English learners, or living with disabilities are the most impacted by natural disasters … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Increasing Support for School Meal Programs
01.07.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced an increase in the amount of money the federal government will reimburse states for school meal programs. "I applaud the Biden Administration for taking an important step to help preserve school meal programs for children and families. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for school meal programs at a time when more families than ever are relyin… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration Effort to Help School Meal Programs Address Supply Chain Challenges
12.17.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration's action to help school meal programs respond to supply chain disruptions. "I applaud the Biden Administration for taking action to ensure school meal programs can continue to provide children the healthy nutrition they need to learn and grow. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for school meal programs at a time when more families than ever are… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Remarks at Rules Committee Meeting on Build Back Better Act
10.28.21 WASHINGTON – Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks at today’s Rules Committee meeting on the Build Back Better Act. “Thank you, Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole. I’m pleased to speak in support of the Education and Labor Committee’s section of the Build Back Better Act. “Over the past few months, Congressional Democrats and the White House have held a … Continue Reading
U.S. Department of Education Approves Virginia’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Support K-12 Schools and Students, Distributes Remaining More Than $704 Million to State
10.15.21 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the approval of Virginia's American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan and distributed remaining ARP ESSER funds to them. Virginia's plan details how the state is using and plans to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Calls on States to Stop Sabotaging Safe School Reopening Efforts
08.19.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to eight states banning schools from implementing mandatory mask policies to protect students, educators, and families from COVID-19. “As we begin another school year under the cloud of a pandemic, policymakers must be laser-focused on helping school districts reopen safely and stay open safely. Through the American Rescue … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Praises Biden Administration’s School Reopening Roadmap
08.02.21 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration released a School Reopening Roadmap to help schools reopen safely for in-person instruction. "Getting students back into the classroom safely is one of the most important things we can do for children and families across the country. I applaud the Biden Administration for issuing clear and comprehensive guidance to help schools re… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds Gov. Northam Proposal to Increase Funding for Safe School Reopenings
07.28.21 WASHINGTON - Chairman Bobby Scott released the following statement in response to Governor Ralph Northam's proposal to dedicate $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding to help schools repair and upgrade ventilation systems, or complete other air quality projects. "I applaud Governor Northam's proposal to dedicate additional American Rescue Plan funding to helping schools reopen safely and stay open safely. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that proper ventilation is essential to r… Continue Reading
Committee Advances Four Bills to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence, Older Americans, Students of Color
07.15.21 WASHINGTON - Today, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced four bills to support survivors of domestic violence, protect older job applicants from age discrimination, help communities desegregate their schools, and strengthen efforts to fight discrimination in education. The Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) of 2021 modernizes and adequately funds FVPSA to support survivors of domestic violence and increases prevention efforts to ensure no American experien… Continue Reading