Because of Republican obstruction in Congress, interest rates on college loans are set to double this July—pouring even more debt on a generation already drowning in student loans. President Obama is pushing Congress to stop it, but as usual Republicans have dug in their heels. Doubling interest rates would be devastating to students and working families. Since 1999, student loan debt has increased by more than 500%, and total student debt is over $1 trillion dollars. But Republicans are so out of touch that their point person on higher education, Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, says she has "little tolerance" for people who graduate with lots of debt because "there's no reason for that." It's not just Virginia Foxx. Mitt Romney says he wants to slash Pell Grants by $170 billion. Republican governors like Scott Walker have been slashing funding for higher education for years, forcing increases in tuition. Students and working families need to send a clear message to the Republicans in Congress: If you allow interest rates to double, we're voting you out.

Due to economy there has been no jobs. there should be no increases in interest rates or loans period.

Public Officials claim to care about public education yet funding for public schools is the first to get cut when states face a budget crisis. It's easy to cut funding for Music and Art and PE when your child attends private school. It's easy to increase class size and fire librarians when your child attends private school. It's easy to "care" about public school when your child attends private school. Make public officials walk the walk, make public education mandatory for the children of Elected Public Officials.

Why do the taxpayers not take a closer look at wasteful spending in school systems across this country, while education in Louisiana, for instance, lags at the bottom. As taxpaying citizens, we should hold our elected officials responsible. Why do we continue to elect people who do not take an active interest in releasing those who will not get the job done in providing a solid and equitable education for all of our children? While Governor has recently had passed an Education Reform Package in Louisiana, will it really bring us up from ranking 48th in the Nation, educationally speaking?

Early start times jeopardize academic achievement, mental health and the safety of teens. The impact falls hardest on struggling students. We urge SPS to maintain the benefits to health and learning that have been gained by middle and high school students having later starts as of 2017, and not make changes to bell times that would have any secondary student start school prior to 8:30 am.

My petition is about anti-grooming laws in the educational system. This would be important for any parent who has children attending school's k-12. This also is protection for minor students who are vulnerable and learning about boundaries. These students need to be taught to discern when they are being manipulated by an adult. Even if that adult might be a teacher or school staffer.

Rush Limbaugh's horrid rants DON"T act in the public's best interests. Any radio station that broadcasts his show violates the rules established by the F.C.C. This EVIL blowhard should be driven off the air, as he serves only the most extreme right-wing propaganda. None of his diatribes deserve ANY airplay whatsoever. His is just horrid indoctrination and brainwashing for those too gullible to think for themselves. His "logic" can be torn down by any high school debate team. He jumps to a wild conclusion and then bases further wild leaps of "faith" on those. He NEVER quotes a valid scientific source and had NO credentials at all. Rachel Maddow has a PhD. in political science from HARVARD! Listen to her as she tears apart the Republican propaganda machine daily!

Having worked in public education for 22 years in schools that were not air conditioned, I know how unhealthy this can be for students and staff. This is a health hazard that must be rectified. For the most part, there are no other work places that are not climate controlled. It is difficult for students to learn and teachers to instruct under hot and humid conditions...not to mention the health issues for those with allergies or other health conditions.

My petition is about the educational papers that I have that have not made me gainfully employed but the Department of Education would like to get paid for the loans that they issued me. Why should I pay this money back and the schools that I attended did not help me with gaining employment. RMU and Keller are not giving you the correct training but the Department of Education would like to get paid. Well I wanted to get paid back in 2004 when I graduated with a BBA and then in 2009 when I graduated with a MPA. Why is it that I have not been interviewed for a job since 2005 for a position in anything. Maybe the movie that just showed at the movies is right. Devry was not a good school to go to for an education but it still remains that I have to pay the Dept. of Ed.?

With the amount of media attention being paid toward LGBT youth violence and self harm rising, it's time to let the people decide how to address the issue. LGBT people have no official voice and no identity amongst our formal education system. Instead, the far right has its say by maintaining a gag order against even the mention of anything remotely related to LGBT culture in texts, lectures, etc. This must change in order to gain the validation necessary so that queer youth have a solid foundation toward self, wherein they can contribute to the larger identity of the United States and the world. We already have a place in Global Culture, why not in education?

Teachers are required to continue education through out their working years. Teachers who retire after thirty years are however left to pay high student loan payments after retirement, although their retirement benefits are very low. Any teacher who serves children in the public school sector for thirty continouious years, student loans should be canceled.

If we wish to increase academic achievement, and reduce violence and addictions and make our communities and schools a positive place, we should implement a k-12 Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum in our schools. Learning and practicing the skills that allow us to control our emotions, form long-lasting relationships and have a positive attitude will build a different future for our country. See www.SEL4Mass.org.