By Rep. Adrian Smith
The American education system develops our next generation of leaders, but we must reckon with serious challenges facing our nation’s students, families, and educators. Preparing to meet the demands of adulthood and the workforce in our rapidly changing economic landscape is no easy task. It requires resilience and robust community support. Unfortunately, recent findings of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” indicate many students are still struggling to overcome learning gaps created during the COVID pandemic. To give our young people the best chance to succeed, we must innovate to maximize education opportunity, put parents back in the driver’s seat of the education of their children, encourage students to consider the full spectrum of post-secondary education and career paths, and strive to provide them with valuable developmental experiences.
A student’s education begins with their parents, not the government. To move American K-12 education forward, we must empower parents with more options and affirm their final say in what educational setting is best for their children. This week, during National School Choice Week, I reintroduced the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). This legislation would implement an innovative tax credit mechanism to provide public, private, and homeschool students with greater education choice through scholarships to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment. ECCA can benefit students in every education setting regardless of their ZIP code. I am grateful President Trump has also already taken action to prioritize efforts to expand educational freedom at the federal level.
In addition to increasing opportunity through school choice, we must also ensure students are fully aware of the successful careers available in non-traditional career paths and the trades. February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and I have long supported efforts in Congress to connect more young Americans with the valuable opportunities CTE can open to them. I often hear from Third District employers desperate for skilled workers. We must ensure young Nebraskans are given the chance to pursue these opportunities which can be more profitable for them and empower them to contribute more fully to our economy than a traditional four-year degree.
Because encouraging civic engagement by our youth is such an important responsibility, I try to fit as many conversations with Nebraska students into my schedule as possible, whether in classrooms across the Third District or on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. If you are a parent or educator interested in arranging an opportunity for your students to engage with me or a member of my staff, please contact my office. One unique opportunity for students to discuss local and federal issues facing our country directly with me is participation in my Youth Advisory Council. Membership in this group is open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who submit an application for consideration.
I am committed to equipping future leaders so our communities can thrive. Students or recent graduates with a strong academic record and interpersonal, research, and writing skills are invited to apply to internship opportunities in my Nebraska and Washington offices. Interns gain valuable experience while assisting my staff and me in service to Third District Nebraskans. Visit my website at adriansmith.house.gov/services/internships for more information and to apply.
Giving students a brighter future, no matter their background or address, is critical for our nation’s long-term wellbeing, and I will continue fighting to expand opportunity for students nationwide. By advancing cutting-edge policy such as my ECCA bill, promoting underappreciated workforce opportunities, and investing in young Americans across the Third District, I am hopeful we can prepare rising leaders to overcome whatever they may face.