II Calendar No. 7 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 7 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 6, 2009 Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Begich, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Casey, Mr. Lautenberg, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. McCaskill, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr. Brown) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time January 7, 2009 Read the second time and placed on the calendar A BILL To expand educational opportunities for all Americans by increasing access to high-quality early childhood education and after school programs, advancing reform in elementary and secondary education, strengthening mathematics and science instruction, and ensuring that higher education is more affordable, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Education Opportunity Act of 2009.

2.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass, and the President should sign into law, legislation to expand educational opportunities for all Americans by— (1)increasing access to high-quality early childhood education and expanding child care, after school, and extended learning opportunities; (2)improving accountability and assessment measures for elementary and secondary school students, increasing secondary school graduation rates, and supporting elementary and secondary school improvement efforts; (3)strengthening teacher preparation, induction, and support in order to recruit and retain qualified and effective teachers in high-need schools; (4)enhancing the rigor and relevance of State academic standards and encouraging innovative reform at the middle and high school levels; (5)strengthening mathematics and science curricula and instruction; and (6)increasing Federal grant aid for students and the families of students, improving the rate of postsecondary degree completion, and providing tax incentives to make higher education more affordable.

January 7, 2009 Read the second time and placed on the calendar