[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 112 (Friday, July 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. Specter, and Mr. Sanders):
  S. 1787. A bill to conduct 1 or more higher education and career 
readiness demonstration projects for rural, low-income students; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, all students, regardless of where they 
live, need appropriate tools to compete in today's global economy. 
Today, I am pleased to introduce legislation that will ensure students 
in rural areas are equipped with the resources they need. If approved, 
the Rural Students College, Career, and Community Readiness Act of 2007 
would improve the educational and career outcomes and build the 
leadership skills of students in rural communities. I am pleased to be 
working my colleague, Senator Specter, on this important and timely 
legislation.
  Roughly one in four public schools is located in rural America, 
accounting for 14.5 percent of total public school enrollment. 
Unfortunately, studies have shown students attending these rural 
schools generally have lower educational aspirations than their urban 
and suburban peers. In addition, roughly half of rural high school 
students live and attend schools in counties that do not have colleges.
  These facts are daunting and present a major hurdle in improving 
education for students in rural communities. However, if our country is 
to successfully compete for jobs in the marketplace of the 21st 
century, we must ensure all students have access to an excellent 
education. These are some of the many reasons why Senator Specter and I 
have joined together to introduce the Rural Students College, Career, 
and Community Readiness Act of 2007.
  This legislation will establish partnerships between nonprofit 
entities and rural school districts to improve the academic motivation 
and educational performance of rural, low-income students. Under these 
partnerships, students in grades 7-12 will receive 25 hours of program 
workshops during the school year to develop career awareness and build 
their leadership skills. Furthermore, these programs will provide 
information for students about the opportunities for and the importance 
of higher education while increasing understanding of the future labor 
needs in their State.
  This legislation also calls for a rigorous evaluation of the 
program's impact. The results of this evaluation will not only tell us 
the rates of participation in dual enrollment courses, advanced 
placement courses, or other related programs of our rural students, but 
also provide models of best practices for partnerships so others can 
replicate their success.
  The Rural Students College, Career, and Community Readiness Act 
emphasizes the improvement of human capital through education as an 
important engine for economic development for rural communities. This 
legislation is needed to increase the number of rural students engaged 
in rigorous, college-preparatory coursework, improve their high school 
graduation rates, and prepare the next generation of leaders in rural 
communities.
  I am hopeful my Senate colleagues will join us to move this 
legislation to the floor without delay.
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