Congressman Connolly knows that the success of Northern Virginia's economy is directly tied to the achievement of students in our local classrooms and college campuses. As a parent, Congressman Connolly believes that investing in quality early childhood education – including universal pre-K, public education, and college access programs will spur innovation and set our young people on a path for lifelong success.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, he helped increase funding for local schools by more than 30%, including increased pay for teachers. Congressman Connolly enjoys visiting local classrooms, meeting with student robotics teams, and talking to education professionals to see the creative ways in which our schools are engaging our students in the learning process. He knows that our public schools must be safe and productive learning environments where children get the support and care they need. This means ensuring our schools are providing everything from meals to specialized instruction to each student who needs them. And amid the pandemic, Congressman Connolly has helped secure nearly $500 million in funding for schools in Fairfax and Prince William Counties to get students back in school safely.
For Northern Virginia families looking toward a college education for their kids, tuition costs can be daunting. Congressman Connolly knows that improving college affordability and reducing the burden of student loan debt are essential components to strengthening our higher education system. Nearly two-thirds of jobs in the United States require post-high school education or training, and we must eliminate insurmountable cost barriers to higher education for all families if we want the U.S. to maintain its competitive edge. This includes increasing federal student aid, expanding federal student loan forgiveness, and providing free community college.
