Increasing education opportunities in Montana isn’t going to happen through another federal mandate or a one-size-fits-all regulation. We need to empower our state, our local school boards, our teachers and parents to work together to develop solutions that best fit our kids’ unique needs.
As we work to grow Montana’s technology and resources jobs, we cannot underestimate the importance of encouraging our students’ interests in science, math, engineering and technology or of trade schools. In Montana, students are often forced to leave our state to find good-paying and long-lasting careers. We need to ensure that our students have the skills they need to find good-paying jobs that can keep them here at home after graduation.
Daines, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Protect Students’ Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced legislation to ensure proper safeguards are in place to protect students’ data. The Safeguarding American Families from Exposure by Keeping Information and Data Secure (SAFE KIDS) Act protects student privacy by establishing clear parameters for third-party operators when using data collected from students. The legislation empowers parents to control access to their children’s information. The current federal protections for student data, including the tools currently available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), are woefully inadequate. The SAFE KIDS Act empowers the FTC to oversee and enforce collection, storage and usage of
Daines Announces New Books Program for Montana Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today announced a new partnership with the Library of Congress to donate surplus books to Montana public schools. Through the program, three different Montana schools and libraries will receive books each month to encourage education and learning. The first recipients include: Harlowton Public Library in Wheatland County Troy Public High School in Lincoln County Brockton Public High School in Roosevelt County “As a product of Montana public schools, I know the importance of ensuring our schools have the resources and tools they need to prepare Montana’s students for success,” Daines stated. “I am excited to partner
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Ben Steele of Billings
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Ben Steele, a World War II veteran of Billings, for his exceptional service to the nation and the Billings community. During the war, Steele served in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March. After World War II Steele studied art at the University of Denver and later taught at Montana State University – Billings. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines’ recognition in
Daines Fights to Increase State, Local Role in Schools and Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines is working to increase local control in Montana students’ education by giving states greater flexibility in allocating federal funds to schools. Earlier today, Daines took to the Senate floor to introduce an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015. Daines’ Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A-PLUS) amendment increases states’ ability to allocate federal education funding in a way that best fits students’ unique needs, frees states from burdensome federal regulations, and better ensures academic achievement in schools. Video of Daines’ remarks are available to download here and viewed here. “Increasing educational