Holt has received the endorsements of the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.
“[Holt[ has worked for passage of legislation to…increase investment in math and Science education and expand funding for foreign languages.”
Asbury Park Press, October 30, 2006
"Holt has championed several education and energy initiatives."
The Courier News, October 23, 2006
Rush Holt believes that a good education is necessary for our children to have successful futures. The strength of our community and vitality of our economy both depend on the quality of our schools. We have a responsibility to help all children meet their potential, and Rush has made nearly 50 visits to schools since January 2007 to see first-hand how we are doing.
Talking about education isn't good enough. When he first took office, Rush Holt secured a seat on the House Committee on Education and Labor. As a member of the Committee, Rep. Holt has fought for strategic investment in education initiatives that promise to offer dividends to our society. That means making our schools better by reducing class size, investing in teacher training, and setting high standards for our students.
Rush Holt believes that an early childhood education is vital to getting children off to a good start. The latest science and research has confirmed that what children learn and experience during their earliest years of life greatly affects their brain, having an impact on social and academic development. Rep. Holt support universal pre-K education, and believes no child should be denied access because their parents do not have the money for tuition. He has cosponsored legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Education to award matching grants to states to enhance or improve preschool programs.
Holt has led the effort in Congress to bolster math, science and foreign language education. He worked in a bipartisan manner to help increasing funding for the Department of Education’s Math and Science Partnerships program. Some of his math, science, and foreign language education initiatives were included in the College Cost Reduction Act and the Higher Education and Opportunity Act, are now law:
*Establishing a grant program to encourage students to develop foreign language proficiency as well as science and technological knowledge.
*Creating a the Mathematics & Science Scholars Program, which will provide grants and loan forgiveness to math and science students who commit to five consecutive years of service in a math or science field after graduation.
*Creating grants to provide upfront pre-paid tuition assistance of $4,000 for elementary or secondary school math and science teachers.
In 2007, Rush helped write the law, the College Cost Reduction Act, that provided the largest increase in college aid since the GI Bill – and at no cost to taxpayers. Along with Holt’s math, science and foreign language initiatives, the bill will cut interest rates in half on subsidized student loans over the next five years, saving the typical student borrower $4,400 over the life of a loan; will provide tuition assistance for students or loan forgiveness for graduates who commit to public service, such as teaching in high-need public schools; and will increase Pell Grant scholarship amounts by up to $1,900 over five years, and thanks to Rush’s work, make them available year round.