Education
Education is fundamental to upward mobility and pursuing the American Dream. Every child must have access to a high-quality K-12 public education, college or technical education, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Federal funding is critical for programs such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Title 1 for economically disadvantaged schools, and to ensure equal access for all students regardless of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. It is equally important that states and local school boards control most educational decisions to avoid over-testing our kids or unneeded bureaucracy.
Access to high quality college, apprenticeship and other technical training for adult learners is essential in our rapidly changing economy. Central Floridians and all Americans need to be able to develop and enhance their skills to start new careers and fill the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Darren is fighting to ensure access to low-interest federal student loans with reasonable repayment terms and for job retraining grants to provide technical training for those needing new skills.
Darren is working with members of the Education and Workforce Committee and will file several bills to make access to student loans easier and repayment more affordable.
Selected bills on education co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:
H.R.813 - To restore access to year-round Federal Pell Grants.
More on Education
U.S. Congressman Darren Soto met with Abhinav Dhulipala, a Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient from Central Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Abhinav (Abhi) graduated from the Orlando Science School this past spring and will be attending the University of California, Berkeley in the Fall 2018 semester to study Engineering.
On Thursday, February 1, 2018, Congressman Darren Soto and his wife, Amanda, toured Englewood Elementary School in East Orlando. Principal Alex Reyes walked the Congressman through the school highlighting the students’ work. Rep. Soto was thrilled to meet teachers, staff, and administrators, all doing splendid work on behalf of the students.
Congressman Soto joined Valencia College leadership along with other Osceola officials and legislators to celebrate the opening of Valencia College's new campus in Poinciana – a dream made reality!
Congressman Darren Soto visited the University of Central Florida's Hillel to engage students in a conversation at their final Shabbat of the semester. Rep. Soto spoke about his recent American Israel Education Foundation trip to Israel and the importance of the US-Israel relationship. The students were then able to engage in a lively Q&A session on issues ranging from net neutrality to topics affecting their communities. The Congressman also provided insights for what is to come next in this legislative session.
Congressman Darren Soto visits Central Avenue Elementary in Kissimmee and Eastside Elementary in Haines City to bring books to the students.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Last Friday, U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced H.R. #2554, “The Direct Connect to Success Act”, a bill to help striving students who graduate from a two-year community college take the next step in their education. It guarantees grads with at least a 2.0 GPA to admission into a participating four-year state university.
WASHINGTON, D.C –Central Floridians, and many more Americans from working families, depend on community colleges and institutions like Valencia College to be their gateway to a four-year degree. Over the last 11 years, the University of Central Florida’s “Direct Connect” program has fulfilled this promise for hundreds of thousands of students from community colleges across Florida, and 35,000 more students are currently in the pipeline.
Valencia College, with four campuses in Central Florida, is filled with extraordinary students who are fulfilling their academic and professional goals in spite of the obstacles they face. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Darren Soto met with these students to learn about their aspirations and struggles, and how Congress can help them.