Maryland Congressional Members Meet with Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lillian Lowery

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, Senator Ben Cardin, and Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, and John K. Delaney (all D-MD), hosted a Maryland Congressional Delegation Meeting on Capitol Hill with Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lillian M. Lowery. The meeting focused on the state of education in Maryland and priorities for Maryland schools, including early childhood education; science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM); closing achievement gaps; increasing college and career readiness; budget priorities; and attracting and developing great educators. Dr. Lowery also provided feedback on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which the House will be voting on at the end of February.

"I was pleased to meet with Dr. Lowery today to discuss the importance of investing in education for future generations of Marylanders," stated Congressman Hoyer. "Every child in the state of Maryland and around the country deserves a quality education that opens doors to careers and more opportunities. That's why reauthorizing the ESEA in a bipartisan fashion to help children in underserved communities secure access to the American Dream is so important. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Lowery to put the futures of our students first and ensure that Maryland schools continue to be amongst the best in the nation."

"I would like to thank Dr. Lowery for meeting with Team Maryland today to continue our ongoing discussions to improve Maryland's school system," said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. "I believe one of the highest priorities of government is to ensure all children have access to a high-quality education. I am encouraged that the Senate is moving toward a bipartisan reauthorization of the ESEA and will continue to work to strengthen and improve programs that have led to Maryland's historic graduation rates. With the help of Dr. Lowery, I'm confident we can get this done for all Maryland students."            

"Ensuring our students have the best education at all levels gives them access to the brightest future possible," said Congressman Elijah E. Cummings. "We know that education creates opportunities, and with shrinking access to the Middle Class, investments in education at the federal, state and local levels will become more and more critical. Making sure that every child in Maryland has access to a high-quality education is a priority for me, and I look forward to working with Dr. Lowery and my colleagues to achieve that goal."

"I appreciate Dr. Lowery joining the Maryland delegation today to discuss our school system and the need for a high quality education for every child," said Congressman Van Hollen. "As Congress debates changes to ESEA, we must consider the impacts on local schools and students and ensure that we focus our efforts on expanding opportunity, increasing quality, and giving teachers the tools they need. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Lowery and Maryland educators to help all our students succeed."

"Meeting today with Dr. Lowery will help inform our work as Congress considers changes to the No Child Left Behind Act and other federal education laws," said Congressman John Sarbanes. "Although the state of Maryland offers students one of the best public educations in the nation, we can still do more to advance educational opportunities for all Maryland students. We must continue working to close the achievement gap, prepare students for college and provide them with the necessary skills to secure well-paying jobs in the 21st-Century economy."

"One of our highest priorities is ensuring that Maryland students have access to a high-quality education," said Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards. "With Maryland ranked among the highest educational systems in the country, I was encouraged to hear from Dr. Lowery about her vision to build on that success to move Maryland's schools forward for all students, including in our most vulnerable communities. I look forward to working with Dr. Lowery and my congressional colleagues to increase STEM participation, ensure college affordability, and strengthen the ESEA reauthorization."  

"Providing the next generation with a world class education is essential to our state and our nation's future," said Congressman John Delaney. "I thank Dr. Lowery for meeting with the state delegation to discuss her goals and priorities for Maryland. Education made all the difference in my life and I want Maryland students to have the same opportunities that I had. On an issue this important, I believe we all have a role to play from the local, state, to federal level. I look forward to continued cooperation with Dr. Lowery and state officials."