for example, it advises the secretary of education on matters related to postsecondary aconsidered as read tation and certification -- accreditation and certification process to participate in federal student aid programs. the advisory committee on student financial assistance provides advice and counsel on federal student financial and aid policy to both congress and the secretary of education, including the recommendations for increasing college access and persistence to higher ed for low income and moderate income students. as ranking member of the subcommittee on higher education and work force training, i take -- i want to thank chairman klein, the ranking member, george -- chairman kline, and the ranking member, george miller, and ranking member fox for their leadership on this issue. although i will continue to fight for a more comprehensive re-authorization of higher education act, i believe that this bill as well as the other three higher education bills being voted on this week make some key improvements to the higher education act. so with that i urge my colleagues to suppo

they will soon say goodbye to family and friends and pursue their dream of a postsecondary education. unfortunately, mr. chairman, many americans are struggling to turn that dream into reality. the higher education system we know today is too costly, too bureaucratic and outdated. some are having a hard time fitting the traditional college experience into a busy lifestyle that already includes work, family or both. others are graduating with a pile of debt and no job prospects. a college degree can open the door to a bright and prosperous future, yet, too often obstacles stand in the way. ultimately, states and institutions must provide the answers students and families need but congress has a role to play as well. first and foremost, we need to continue promoting policies that will get this economy moving again so every college graduate who wants a job can find a job. we can also adopt commonsense reforms that will improve our higher education system. today, the house will begin to do just that. we have an opportunity right now, right now, mr. chairman, to advance reforms that will s

but there are things congress can do right now to keep the dream of a postsecondary education within reach. helping students find the right institution is one way we can make a difference. yesterday the house passed with strong bipartisan support the strengthening transparency in higher education act. the legislation will arm students with the best information available in a format that is easy to understand, information that includes key facts such as an institution's costs, completion rate and student loan debt. students and families currently face a tsunami of information that is mostly confusing, conflicting and unnecessary. that bill streamlines the information and how it is delivered, enabling students to be smart shoppers in the college marketplace. however, picking an institution is only half the challenge. families then have to figure out how to pay for it. and far too many are unprepared to make those tough decisions. some students choose loans and debt, when other assistance in the form of grants and scholarships are readily available. and these do offer student loans ofte

so there is a lot of discussion about postsecondary and so on, but we've got a real problem. our high school gra graduation e is too low. according to the u.s. department of education, 81% of high school dropouts say real-world learning opportunities would have kept them in school. it's interesting. average high school graduation rate is now about 80%, way too low. in fact, it's closers t closer . but even 80% as the average is way too low for high school graduation. they would have been more likely to stay in school if they had real-world learning opportunities. that's why the graduation rate for kids involved in c.t.e. -- the presiding officer: time has expired. mr. portman: i would ask for two additional minutes. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. portman: for quids i kids in c.t.e. concentrations, it's a 90%. that's because they're getting that real-world subpoenas. so i think a good plie place tot again is this legislation that we're introducing today. this is legislation that begins with reforms to the perkins career and technical educatio

ought state bureau for private postsecondary education is meeting to help students get their diplomas, and financial aid and transcriptions. >> they could be reimbursed through the i recovery fund, and it and likely the federal government will forgive loan debt because the school is closed. >> one student said that the college was not so forgiving to the students about missing payments. >> one was told to stop getting her nail and hair done and concentrate on financial aid. when you missed a payment you got a phone call, two to three phone calls until you were caught up. >> transferring with credits accrued at the college to another vocational school is difficult for the students. state workers say it is most likely that the students will have to start their education over. >> still ahead at 11 o'clock a community comes together to mourn a mother killed during a bank robbery shootout. >> new developments from southern california after a deadly lightning storm at the peep. what we have learned about the swimmer who died this morning. >> the terminator is baaack and bringing a ruckus to

and that's definitely already true in postsecondary, that most college experiences are with multiple providers, some on site and some online. so what digital learning is doing is, particularly for older students, it's expanding access to courses. so what should be true today is that every high school student in america should have access to every advanced placement course, to college credit opportunities, to every world language, to a white range of electives. these all can be offered very cost effectively and with very high quality for no more than we're spending today. so we'll see. i think much more, a hutch bigger change at -- a much bigger change at the high school level than the elementary level. >> host: now, you touched on this earlier, but how is the role of the teacher evolving with digital learning? >> guest: well, i'm excited about what this means for teachers. the profession has been very difficult and very isolating for individual teachers, and what it will mean for them in a blended environment is that they'll work on a team, a team with teachers of different level. th

clear the congressional intent of section 225, to include activities that support transitions to postsecondary education, work force training offer alongside adult education are concurrent enrollment for the purpose of educationle and career advancement -- educational and career advancement are also attaining a recognized postsecondary credential which may include an associate or bachelor degree. mr. tierney: will the gentleman yield? mr. davis: i yield to the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. tierney: ases i understand section 225, the definitions you mentioned are as you stated. mr. davis: will the gentleman yield? mr. tierney: i yield to the gentleman from illinois. mr. davis: i thank the gentleman for clarifying the congressional intent of section 225. i urge passage of this bill and yield back. mr. tierney: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts reserves. the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. mr. kline: thank you, madam speaker. i now yield 1 1/2 minutes to another member of the committee, the gentlelady from indiana, ms. brooks.

. >> what we have to make sure is be about graduation and postsecondary success both college and career and being productive adults. productive world citizens. that's at the center of what we do. >> reporter: the new superintendent says he will make the most out of the school resources. >> are you looking into closing more schools after a research found that osd had too many schools for the people they serve. >> we will look at solutions that may lead to the closing of schools and if that's where it leads, that's where we'll go. >> reporter: school board voted to close five elementary schools in oakland in 2011, the community outcry was great. but wilson says he's asking the community to put emotion aside adding that every decision he makes will be based on community. >> reporter: wilson also says he wants to turn the trend of leaving oakland once their children become school aged. >>> a new add campaign that challenges stereo types about girls is going viral online. >> show me what it looks like to run like a girl. >> the ad is from the feminine hygiene company always. and it asks the

finally, let me talk about improving the heart of the quality and success in the postsecondary education. so now i'm actually getting to something that i'm responsible for instead of the other stuff that i just sort of say notes for. >> improving college access and completion is no longer a luxury for us in the nation or for individuals. when it comes to job of attainment and employment security and national security economic development we know we need to prepare more people to get to and through college successfully. but there are issues. rising costs, pricing the middle class out of college, student debt levels whether individual student with devils or aggregation levels are rising alarmingly. despite the recent rise the percentage of students who enter college in the first year and who graduate has been stagnant. i know we can achieve president obama's goal of making america first in the world again but it's not going to be easy and we are going to have to do all that we can to make higher education more accessible and affordable into focus on increasing completion rates into the ult

by the end of this decade more than six out of every ten jobs are going to need a form of postsecondary education whether it is a bachelors degree or associate in some form of program and manufacturing facility. there are over 100,000 manufacturing jobs in the nation sitting empty because they can't find a skilled workforce to meet the job. go to the stat state and wisconn and you've been working on this. they open a big new plant and find out they work with the local community college and bring the machinery and off the floor into the community college and bring their own managers into the community college with some help from the federal government through our program train these folks. i think a player i up there it 8 week program. don't hold me to the exact number but it's like a conveyor belt. salaries are $850 if memory serves me correctly. by the end of the decade, the boston consulting group which is ahead in the last ten years estimates the number high skilled manufacturing jobs needed in the united states will be an additional 875,000 a lot of them are sitting empty right now

they brought people from the business sector, the military, the postsecondary sector, and it was a locally-drivenng. what the obama administration did was backed the play of a lot of state and local leaders and i don't think that was inappropriate for them to do so. i mean, we have seen efforts in the past where the federal government tried to develop a national set of standards. that's not what this is. i think it's appropriate -- an appropriate act of federalism for the president and the secretary of education to say you've got a great idea here, we think it offers a tremendous amount of prospects for our children, we're going to support you in what you're doing, and i think that's the opposite of federal overreach. i think what's happening in a lot of the states that are backing off is there are some folks on the right who are using this as a political football. we see within the republican party an extreme wing that's pushing their leaders to take what i think are nonsensical stances. governor jindal got attacked politically and backed away. what we need to do to say to the state leaders is i

by the end of this decade more than six out of every ten jobs are going to need a form of postsecondaryducation whether it is a bachelors degree or associate in some form of program and manufacturing facility. there are over 100,000 manufacturing jobs in the nation sitting empty because they can't find a skilled workforce to meet the job. go to the stat state and wisconn and you've been working on this. they open a big new plant and find out they work with the local community college and bring the machinery and off the floor into the community college and bring their own managers into the community college with some help from the federal government through our program train these folks. i think a player i up there it 8 week program. don't hold me to the exact number but it's like a conveyor belt. salaries are $850 if memory serves me correctly. by the end of the decade, the boston consulting group which is ahead in the last ten years estimates the number high skilled manufacturing jobs needed in the united states will be an additional 875,000 a lot of them are sitting empty right now bu

the undersecretary overseas policies, programs, and activities related to postsecondary education, adult career and technical education, federal student aid, five white house initiatives and the center for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. partnerships. can't believe he is made time for us. that's a lot, but please join me in welcoming undersecretary mitchell. [applause] >> thank you, governor. and thanks not only what sounds like a great conference, a terrific invitation. so pleased to be here, but thanks for the great work you are doing at home. you are a champion for high quality education for all the kids in your state, and we are the beneficiaries of that, so thank you. it is terrific to be here today to talk with you and as i look out literally in the room there are a handful of very, very dear friends and it's great to be back doing this work with you in d.c. before i start, just a moment of personal privilege to tell those of you i don't know a little bit about what i do this work and what got me into it. i'm a hearty teacher, speak of which, or any of the state teachers

none of that is mandated in any of these laws because there is, one, a reluctance to make the postsecondary education system, first of all, our four-year and two-year colleges directly accountable for labor market outcomes of their education and training, and much the same is true even with the for-profit school where is the administration is leaning very hard, that is, they have tried to build so-called gainful employment requirements so if you're a for-profit school in america, at least the intention of the administration, they were losing this in court, but the intention of the administration is making a program and doesn't get you a job and a wage and justifies the cost of the program, the federal government will refuse to pay for the program. question is, why aren't we doing that with all the other programs, as well? >> pat's calling in from california on our line for independents. good morning. >> caller: good morning, sir. i was a boilermaker for 13 years and a truck driver for 30. as an owner/operator. because of health conditions, i was prevented from staying as a truck driver. i p

he bonded with the teacher, graduated and went on to postsecondary. jack is an example of a candidate has done fine either way it wanted to do an internship at cmt so we said we have to get your grades up and stop slacking off and he graduated with all a's and they are all in school right now so without further ado i will introduce this man who is the one on the ground making it happen with our awesome students and yointo you were going to ben away by them. >> this is what it's about us to see what the students are doingg but first, governor, thank you very much for adding us present. i want to take this time to thank the governor he and his wife both took time to visit the campus at the high school to see -- nanay has been interviewed by the students. students. >> he was interviewed when he came to visit. if you want to learn to fly planes, be a master chef, investigate a crime scene, come to the high school because we can teach you. students are doing all kinds of things tied to the business world. one of the things key to education today's students

the second barrier is getting the postsecondary institutions to put up bridge programs that will allow the military experience to be recognized in any of the training and education that was received in the military to be recognized so that programs can be shortened for these veterans and again that is a major focus of this initiative is resistance by community colleges which are the main educational institutions that are working in this area. part of the problem is the concern that there will not be enough demand for a program once it is put up. the other is there is a lot of complexity tied to the data sharing that i talked about. another area is with raising awareness among the licensing boards. this is a particular concern in the gulf area and cause of concern making sure the quality standards are met so loosening the requirements may lower the quality standards and in the medical area that is a major concern. and it's also looking at different options for the training programs. apprenticeship is one. there is resistance. i know in iowa you are trying to increase them across differe

because there is a reluctance to make postsecondary education system, our four-year and two-year collegesectly accountable for labor market of their education and training. much the same is true in administratione is leaning very hard. they have tried to build gainful employment requirements. if you are a for-profit school in america, the intention of the administration, they are losing this in court. the intention is if you take a program that does not get you a job to justify the cost of the program, the federal government will refuse to pay for the program. why are we doing that with all the other programs as well? host: pat from california on our line for independents. i was able to make her for 13 years and a truck driver for 30. because of health conditions, i staying as a from truck driver. i passed my medical card. because the department of transportation has restrictions on weight, i could not get a job with private industry. i went in for retraining. through, i found out , to my shock, that they did not pay any living expenses. thing they would somede me with books and transport

tens an intense preparation program that would determine whether she was ready to enroll in a postsecondary institution. already anxious, she received a phone call from her social worker that afternoon. the bad news come that she was aging out. she was told that her foster mother was no longer being paid for amani's bed because the money was running out for her foster parents, amani was forced to leave home immediately. the shock and devastation of those words crushed amani. she lived in that home with the family for three years. she's considered a long-term living situation. amani returned to her -- to find her belongings packed in garbage bags waiting for her at the door. that is a story our caucus often hears. amani aged out of the system in a way no person should have to experience. she left a place she considered home not knowing what her future would hold. she was on her own, shoved into independence with no family support and a place to call home. amani's aging-out experience left her feeling shattered and confused. she felt betrayed by both her foster mother, who claimed to love her

of education bills that will give students and their families the tools they need to help make postsecondary education more accessible and affordable and legislation that will reform the veterans administration. the house has also acted on an energy bill that would make it easier to ship our natural gas overseas and put much-needed pressure on russia as well as a tax measure that will allow u.s. companies, large and small, to innovate, create jobs and increase wages. these are just a few of the more than 300 house-passed bills, including more than 40 jobs bills that wait for action in the senate of the united states. these bipartisan measures would benefit american families and businesses. they all deserve an up or down vote in the united states senate. mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition? without objection, the gentleman from washington is recognized for one minute. i mcdermott: mr. speaker, come today to this floor on what i believe i

to put it in some context, by 2021, we're projected to have 11 million fewer workers with postsecondary educations than our economy will need. but the wioa, by consolidating 15 outdated or redundant federal job training programs, by creating new board accountability standards, and by giving cities and states the flexibility to meet their economy's unique local needs, the workforce innovation and opportunity act will help us make up that shortfall. i was at the bill signing last week at the white house along with the senators who i cited who really led the charge on this, and it was uplifting to see the positive impact that came out of uniting in such a broadly bipartisan way on such an important issue as jobs skills for the modern manufacturing workforce for america. on a week when congress came together to improve our investment in america's workers, vice president biden also released a critical report that had great contributions from the secretaries of commerce and of education and of labor. a critical report that details a number of other steps the administration is taking as a comp