Ones that have to implement that policy and that sometimes comes with challenges. Whats interesting about the university of south florida, as you pointed out, it is a large institution, its a young institution. Most particularly, its a top 50 Research University public or private in the United States. And i mention that because all too often its the Research Universities that lose sight of the focus on serving the needs of the students and enhancing Student Success. Over the past six years, we have seen an 8 increase or an eight point increase in our freshman retention rate, a 15 increase in our sixyear freshman graduation rate, which only tells part of the story. Because a large number of students entering the university of south florida come to us as transfer students as well. We have also seen an increase in Graduation Rates there from 60 to 68 in four years over in recent past. So were pleased in the direction were moving. Were not yet satisfied. I think first and foremost, its bee
Disadvantage the students that we are most concerned have access to and through College Needs to change and it needs to change dramatically. In the department, we have as you well know, carmel, we have for the last several years put in our Budget Proposal opportunities for the federal government and states to Work Together on many of the lines of contact were discussing here this morning. The state higher ed Performance Fund that we have proposed would seek to reward states that create Stable Funding platforms, that make sure that their commitment to low income students remains in place and that would also move states toward a more performance based budgeting overall. So we want to continue to have those conversations. We see great virtue in aligning federal resources with a states willingness to Fund Higher Education and to make that funding centrally available to low income and middle income families who we need to get into college and across the finish line if were going to meet the
Involved helping to craft the grand constitution which we put out to the community over six months ago and the response was overwhelming 500 institutions put in applications for innovative practices that they wanted to experiment with to try to improve access and outcomes and drive down cost and the fact that 500 institutions are responding so yes we have to do our part, too. So at the state level i think that our work is to help identify some of the things we are learning from the first in the world grantees and scale them up so they can become more common state practice. In the same vein, one of the areas in which the states and federal government and the k12 system have a common interest is in the teacher preparation. In a particular area of overlap working with the states now to create a set of regulations that will put more tools in the hands of the states to be be a lot of work with institutions to raise the level of the teachers which we think is a key leverage not just in the H
However, we should be angry that the house should not take up comprehensive immigration reform. For one year and five months, the Senate Version has sat past and we have been unable to take it. All during this time we have heard our country, our economy and our families. The time has come to make a decision. Now, while the president may have put this decision off, this decision will not work. It is the right thing to do. It is the american thing to do. And with gods help, it will be done before the conclusion of this year. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson madam speaker, a , the go last june president ignored these signs and underestimated the strengt