Continuing his efforts to build an excellent public education system that provides each and every child with the opportunity to succeed, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) today introduced H.R. 5894 – the Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Access to Education Act – that would provide states and school districts funding to ensure that pregnant and parenting students have equal access to educational opportunity.
“Pregnancy and parenting significantly increase a student’s risk of dropping out of school and for the first time in over a decade teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. are on the rise,” said Polis. “Even worse, children of dropouts are more likely to drop out of school themselves. We must face this crisis head on and break this vicious cycle.”
"Over 25,000 babies have been born to Colorado teens in the last four years. This important piece of legislation will provide much needed resources to schools to provide support to this large group of Colorado students," said Lori Casillas, Executive Director of Colorado Youth Matter. "Furthermore, this bill sends the message that teen parents' educational success is a priority. Colorado Youth Matter applauds Representative Polis' leadership in recognizing the thousands of Colorado's young parents who are working to get their education and raising their children."
Every year, there are approximately 750,000 teen pregnancies and 400,000 teen births. Of these teen mothers, only half earn a high school diploma compared to 89 percent of their childless peers, creating a dropout crisis that has severe short- and long-term consequences for the economic success and well-being of their families and communities, as well as our nation.
These alarming statistics stem from the many barriers that pregnant and parenting teens face in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school, such as discrimination by their schools in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the failure of states, school districts, and schools to excuse students for pregnancy- and childbirth-related absences or to assist them in maintaining academic progress; the challenge of juggling schoolwork with parenting responsibilities; and the lack of access to affordable, quality child care, transportation, and other critical services.
“When any student drops out of school, we all fail,” said Polis. “With their lives ahead of them and a family to support, we must not let these young mothers fall through the cracks. By providing a support system specifically for pregnant and parenting students, my legislation will help keep teen parents in school and on the road to success.”
To help reduce pregnancy related dropouts, Polis’ legislation:
- Enables states to create a state plan for pregnant and parenting students; establishes a state coordinator and school district liaisons for the education of pregnant and parenting students.
- Requires school district grantees to provide academic support services for pregnant and parenting students; assist students in gaining access to affordable child care, early childhood education, and transportation services; and revise school policies and practices to remove barriers and encourage pregnant and parenting students to continue their education.
- Allows districts to provide parenting and life skills classes; case management services; pregnancy prevention interventions; referrals to primary health care, family planning, mental health, substance abuse, housing assistance, legal aid, mentoring, or other supportive services needed by the student; as well as to address school climate issues, including illegal discrimination against and stigmatization of pregnant and parenting students.
- Collects and reports data on pregnant and parenting students annually, including educational outcomes, and requires a rigorous evaluation of the program.
