Democrats are pushing ahead with President Joe Biden’s $3.5 Trillion rebuilding plan. They’re promising historic investments throughout the education arc — from preschool to college — in what advocates call the largest package of its kind in decades.
Biden’s education proposal would provide a foundation for many Americans’ schooling options and demonstrate the country’s willingness to expand federal programs.
Equity is the main focus of this program. It seeks to eliminate barriers that have for decades led to learning and wage disparities based on income and race. It aims to bring back workers who quit their jobs in the COVID-19 Pandemic to care for children whose schools were shut down by expanding child care and early education programs.
Americans would have two years of preschool and two years of community college free of charge. Families would have the opportunity to receive expanded child care subsidies. Millions of families could be eligible. There would also be increased federal financial aid available for college students with low incomes.
Jessica Thompson, associate vice-president of the Institute for College Access and Success (an education non-profit), stated, “We haven’t done anything similar in my memory.” It’s the American dream.
Congress is working hard to meet Monday’s self imposed deadlines. Biden’s larger proposal could be presented to the House later in this week. However, Democrats must resolve divisions within themselves regarding the plan’s scope. The proposal, worth $3.5 trillion, covers nearly all aspects of American life. It includes health care, taxes, climate, and housing.
To placate more centrist lawmakers, the price tag will likely fall and ambitions scaled down to accommodate them. Progressives and others are concerned about the reductions, as they believe they have made enough compromises.
Biden’s original plans for funding historically Black colleges and universities have been scrapped. Money to fix aging school buildings may be lost as lawmakers look for cost-saving measures.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) argued at a recent House hearing that further cuts could compromise the success of its education program.
She stated that despite the strong investments made here, vital programs are still lacking.
