Press Releases

NEW KENT, VA – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman hosted an Education Roundtable in New Kent County. The purpose of this roundtable was for Congressman Wittman to hear directly from division leadership and school board members in New Kent County about their education priorities and challenges, and for Congressman Wittman to give an update from Washington, D.C. Following the roundtable, Congressman Wittman stated: 

“Our education system currently faces several challenges – between recruitment issues, teacher shortages, and ways to increase career pathway options for graduating students – our educators, parents, and students need and deserve support. As the husband of a recently retired elementary school teacher, I understand firsthand the importance our educators and school systems play in children's lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak openly with leaders in our education community in New Kent County today about where they see challenges, gaps, and opportunities for success in our local school systems. Virginia’s First District is filled with incredibly dedicated and talented leaders in our education system, and I look forward to continuing to partner with them and parents in setting our future generations up for success.”  

Congressman Wittman has introduced and supported several pieces of legislation to strengthen and improve our education system for teachers, students, and parents, including – but not limited to: 

PROPEL Act:  Gives students the flexibility they deserve to choose the educational options which are right for them. Congressman Wittman introduced the PROPEL Act to give students the option to use Pell Grants for short-term vocational or technical apprenticeships, or on the job training.

Strengthening Career Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V): This bill, now signed into law, expands access to CTE programs, helps schools create partnerships with the business community so students can cultivate skills in demand by the labor market, improves and modernizes schools’ CTE programs, and gives states and localities more control over how to spend CTE dollars. 

Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act: Congressman Wittman co-led this bipartisan legislation to allow the use of 529 funds to pay for the tuition, exam, credentialing, and supply costs associated with career technical education (CTE). 

Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022: Congressman Wittman co-sponsors this legislation that would serve both students and parents by helping children and young adults in crisis and make our schools safer, reversing the collateral damage on kids from school shutdowns, fighting surging drug overdose deaths, and supporting moms at every stage of life.

Learn more about Congressman Wittman’s work in Congress to support education issues here.

To view photos from today’s roundtable, click the attached images.