Bipartisan Drive for Full-Service Community Schools

Posted for Congressman Steny Hoyer

Pax II

A Bipartisan Argument for Full-Service Community Schools

Maryland Democrat, Representative Steny H. Hoyer, MD-5th and Illinois, Representative Aaron Schock introduced the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2014 late last month

“One of the most important jobs Congress has is to ensure that our nation’s children have access to a quality education and the opportunities it brings. A strong education is critically important to secure a place in our middle class. However, we are not doing enough as a country to provide all of our children with the educational foundation they need to succeed. That’s why we joined together last week to introduce the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2014, bipartisan legislation that would create a competitive-grant program to expand the number of full-service community schools around the country.”  Steny H. Hoyer & Aaron Schock

Full-service community schools are an innovative approach to help students and their parents access a full range of critical services all in one place. These are services currently available but often inaccessible because they are not centralized. Full-service community schools encourages consolidating these services in an accessible way for children and their families.

The full-community schools model locates checkups and dental screenings at the school, offers nutritional counseling, financial literacy education, and adult classes, at the school. These are services that in most communities are already offered, but often far from one another.

The full-community school makes it easier for students and parents to access these needed services under one roof, helping parents gain the tools they need to support their children’s learning and children to attain the health and attention they need to be ready to learn.

“The benefits of full-service community schools are clear: This model results in a more efficient delivery of services and saves money. But, most important, the children served by these schools have a greater chance of closing the achievement gap, succeeding in school, and graduating ready for college or a career, according to numerous studies. Investments in full-service community schools are investments in a competitive workforce. Education for low-income children can help close the achievement gap while yielding dividends in the form of more graduates who will start small businesses and launch new startups as the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.” Steny H. Hoyer & Aaron Schock

In preparation of introducing the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2014 to the House of Representatives, Congressman Hoyer said, “This legislation is an example of what is possible when we set our differences aside, as I said, to work together across the aisle to make progress for those who are trying to make it in America, for themselves and for their families. I want to thank Representative Schock for working with me, and I hope this Congress can come together, as the two of us have done, and work in a bipartisan fashion to pass this bill without delay.