March 13, 2013

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Applaud Significant Federal Funding to Boost Student Achievement in WV

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with U.S. Representative Nick Rahall, today applauded $3.3 million in federal funding to raise student achievement in West Virginia’s schools.

“West Virginia’s schools are absolutely critical to preparing our students for their futures and creating a strong workforce for our state. Schools everywhere can almost always benefit from targeted improvements,” said Rockefeller. “This funding provides important resources so schools can make performance adjustments that help strengthen our students’ education. Raising the bar in our schools benefits students across West Virginia, and empowers them to learn and achieve more.”

“When we talk about what we value as West Virginians and as a country, our children should be at the top of that list,” Manchin said. “We have a responsibility to provide them with the best education possible to help lead our next generation to a brighter future – one in which our children can compete in the global marketplace that makes our economy strong and keeps jobs here at home. These grants have already seen effective results in schools across the country, and I am encouraged they will help our West Virginia schools get the resources necessary to educate our kids for future success.”

“I firmly believe that we must give our schools and teachers the resources they need to do their job,” said Rahall, a senior member of the House Rural Education Caucus. “While trimming our budget as a nation, we must be diligent in our pursuit to improve graduation rates and ensure that our children have the 21st century skills to compete in the ever-growing global economy.  Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed in life.”

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s School Improvement Grant (SIG) program, and will be awarded to the West Virginia Department of Education, which will then distribute the money to schools that demonstrate the greatest need for funding.

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