On the eve of President Joe Biden’s 100th day in office, April 28, Biden delivered an unofficial State of the Union Address proposing the American Families Plan. This plan is a $1.8 trillion package that would improve early childhood education and invest in community colleges.
The American Families plan would provide more funding for early childhood education, giving children from ages 3-4 free preschool in order to better prepare them for grade school. This plan would also fund two free years of community college and free tuition for trade and technical schools. With these recent developments, students reacted with mixed views.
“This will probably raise the amount of high school dropouts since most teens struggle to keep their mental state intact,” sophomore Samuel Dante Vanko said.
Vanko also expressed how the federal government should fund other aspects of education, instead of something that many will not take advantage of.
“I think schools shouldn’t add more grades to help students find a passion for a career of their choice but rather new classes where they get to learn about the real world and what they need to do to prepare for it,” Vanko said. “Even then, most students usually take jobs that don’t require more than a high school education.”
Out of 10 students, 50% stated they would not take advantage of the plan if it became available to them.
“I really don’t think it will benefit me in any way,” junior Nicholas Veley said. “Even then, I don’t want to spend more time training and going to school; it really isn’t worth it for me.”
While many students have expressed their concerns with the plan, some believe it may benefit them. Especially among younger students and children, many seem to be excited.
“I really want to become a [dental assistant],” sixth grader Maria Toledo said. “This will mean that I can go to school for less money, because I know my family can’t afford it.”
For some students, this plan appears to be helpful, and they see it as an advantage for their education.
“It seems sensible; it’s literally just free community college,” freshman Roselyn Valerio said. “It will probably help me reach my goals and let me graduate with less debt to pay off.”
On top of being sensible for many, students feel like this will give them an advantage in the long run.
“I was already planning on going to a community college for Gen Ed,” junior Natalie Ramira said. “Hopefully the plan will go into effect soon so I won’t have to pay for those two years.”
The American Families Plan not only affects high school students getting ready for college. Even elementary students are hopeful for the plan to go into action and the opportunities that may be offered to them.
“I don’t really know if I can afford so much money for college,” fifth grader Lorena Lopez said. “But it will help me become a vet because I love dogs.”
