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Education

As a former educator, I understand how important it is for our children to have access to a quality education, one of the most important building blocks for success.

I believe strongly in the authority of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. I am committed to ensuring parents and teachers have the tools and resources necessary to provide a world class education to our children, regardless of economic status. During my time on the House Appropriations Committee’s panel for educational funding, I was a strong supporter of Head Start, which provides educational opportunities to low-income children, and GEAR UP and TRIO, which are designed to help disadvantaged students prepare for and succeed in college.

Our youth’s future success, and Oklahoma's too, requires access to affordable and quality higher education. With a better-educated workforce, Oklahoma can attract, retain, and expand high-paying jobs. I believe federal financial assistance for students should be available to students regardless of whether they are seeking a degree at a four-year institution or pursuing career and technical education (CTE). CTE is a vital component of our secondary and postsecondary educational system.

More on Education

Appropriations Committee Releases the Fiscal Year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Funding Bill
July 12, 2017
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today released the draft fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow.
Issues: Education Healthcare
Cole on Congress with guest Mark Shriver
February 22, 2017
Cole On Congress
This month’s program featured an interview with Mark Shriver, the President of Save the Children Action Network. An advocate for charity and service, Shriver has been behind the movement to ensure that each child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning programs and to end maternal and child deaths worldwide.
Issues: Education
Cole Named Chairman of Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
January 10, 2017
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he was named Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.
Issues: Economy & Small Business Education Healthcare
Two Years of Accomplishments
December 20, 2016
Weekly Columns

When the 114th Congress began its session in January of 2015, many Americans had concerns about the direction of our nation, and the job approval of their Congressional leaders was appropriately low. After so many years of onerous executive overreach, House Republicans faced many challenges in the fight to block President Obama’s liberal agenda. There were many times that House Republicans have come close to making common sense conservative progress, only to be shot down by the president’s veto pen.

Issues: Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs Economy & Small Business Education Healthcare Natural Resources Tribal Relations Veterans & Military Retirees
Cole Joint Op-Ed in The Oklahoman: The importance of higher ed research
December 11, 2016
Weekly Columns
Supporting our higher education institutions and providing adequate resources for them is a priority that Americans can agree on. Higher education is the backbone for American ingenuity and innovation, and Oklahoma is home to many colleges and universities committed to quality education.
Issues: Education
New Leadership for a New Era
December 5, 2016
Weekly Columns
As President Obama’s days in office come to a close, the specter of significant change is on the horizon. While President-Elect Donald Trump assembles his leadership team, Congress is busy preparing our own agenda to repeal, reform and replace some of the most onerous policies of the Obama Administration. With the right people, Congress and the new President can bring badly needed change to the political atmosphere in our nation and finally begin to get things done.
I’ve been very impressed with the initial choices President-Elect Trump has made for his cabinet.
Issues: Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs Education Healthcare
Cole Praises Nomination of Betsy DeVos and Chairman Tom Price for Cabinet Positions
November 29, 2016
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after President-Elect Donald Trump nominated Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education and Congressman Tom Price (GA-06) as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the budget for the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, I want to congratulate President-Elect Trump on selecting two excellent choices for his cabinet.
Issues: Education Healthcare
Cole Op-Ed in The Oklahoman: Early childhood education crucial to building America's future
August 12, 2016
Weekly Columns
Childhood is a precious gift. It's a time of constant growth, and every child's potential is limitless. Unfortunately, there are many children in underserved communities across the country, where they face an increased risk of that potential being cut short by limited opportunities. Early childhood education is essential for success later in life, and every state needs solid resources to reinforce the benefits of schooling.
Issues: Education
Appropriations Committee Approves the Fiscal Year 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services Funding Bill
July 14, 2016
Press Release
Washington, D.C. - The House Appropriations Committee today approved the draft fiscal year 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill. The legislation includes funding for programs within the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and other related agencies.
In total, the draft bill includes $161.6 billion in discretionary funding, which is a reduction of $569 million below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $2.8 billion below the President's budget request.
Issues: Economy & Small Business Education Healthcare
Cole Honored with Teach For America’s Congressional Champion Award
February 5, 2016
Press Release
Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he was named a recipient of the Teach For America Congressional Champion Award, which is given out only once every five years.
Issues: Education