This year the week of Nov. 15 - 21 has been designated American Education Week. This is a time for all Southwest Virginians to honor our region’s teachers and school staff and also a time to reaffirm our commitment to our children’s and student’s educational goals.

The students of Southwest Virginia are the key to our future, and we must prepare them for that future by providing them with a good education in schools that are adequate to meet their educational needs. Accordingly, I am constantly working with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that provides students and educators alike with the tools and resources which they require to succeed.

The economic Recovery Act, which was approved by Congress with my strong support and signed into law by the President earlier this year has provided more than $180 million to schools across the Ninth Congressional District. These funds have helped school districts facing budget shortfalls maintain necessary educational services and prevent widespread job layoffs for teachers.

More than $45 million has been provided by the U.S. Department of Education to schools in Title I and IDEA funds, which help schools to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students and enable schools to offer adequate education services for students with disabilities. Additionally, schools in the Ninth District have received more than $130 million in Recovery Act funds through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. These funds can be used for modernization, renovation, construction and repair of public school facilities.

This year, I am also pleased to have cosponsored a number of measures which will provide assistance to students, parents and teachers. One such measure is the Success in the Middle Act, which aims to improve middle grade education by ensuring that schools provide professional development for school personnel, implement student support systems, and develop a curriculum that will prepare students for success. Middle school education provides an important transition for young students between their elementary and high school careers and prepares young students to succeed in an academically challenging high school and prepare for postsecondary education and the workplace.

Students should feel that their schools are a safe environment for learning; however, bullying too often occurs at school. For this reason, I am pleased to report that I have cosponsored the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would assist schools in developing anti-bullying and anti-harassment measures.

Southwest Virginia students who want to obtain a college education should have every opportunity to do so. The Savings Enhancement for Education in College Act, which I have also cosponsored, would help parents save for their child’s college education by providing a tax credit to low and moderate income families for contributions to Section 529 college savings plans.

Additionally, the measure would enable 529 funds to continue to be used to purchase computer technology and equipment for college students. The Recovery Act enables this use of 529 funds for 2009 and 2010. Finally, the measure would enable 529 account owners to change their investment allocations twice a year to provide flexibility in the event of instability in financial markets. Currently, only one change per year is permitted.

Physical education teaches students the importance of regular exercise, and schools play a vital role in ensuring that students understand how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. The FIT Kids Act would advance physical education in our schools by requiring schools to measure student progress towards national goals for time spent in physical education class. The measure would also expand professional development opportunities for physical education and health teachers.

Finally, I would like to note another measure I have cosponsored this year, the Troops to Teachers Improvement Act. Troops to Teachers is a successful program that assists veterans to become teachers, with more than 12,000 veterans hired as teachers nationwide.

Participants receive funds from Troops to Teachers to pay for their certification programs, and in return, they agree to teach for three years in a low-income school district. The Troops to Teachers Improvement Act would expand the employment opportunities for Troops to Teachers participants, making most of the school districts in the Ninth Congressional District eligible to attract new teachers through the program.

As we celebrate American Education Week, I want to thank Southwest Virginia’s talented educators and school staff for truly improving the lives of our region’s students. I remain committed to working with our region’s local and school officials to ensure that teachers and students have the tools they need for a successful learning experience. For more information on American Education Week, please visit the National Education Association’s Web site.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at newrivervoice.com.