By DAVID VITTER

Another summer has come and gone and students are back in the classroom after a couple months of hot and humid weather. Congress, too, is back in full throttle as we resume business in Washington after spending the month of August traveling the district and meeting with constituents.

As we return to work, we’re focusing on continuing the progress we made last year when we worked with President Bush to pass comprehensive education reform – the No Child Left Behind Act. This new law gives every child better access to a quality education through flexibility, accountability and stronger standards. In addition to this historic reform package, we made sure that a number of education initiatives were included in the economic growth and tax relief bill that became law in June of last year.

I was happy to support legislation that increased the amount of money that can be set aside in Education Savings Accounts from $500 to $2,000 annually. We extended ESAs, for the first time, to K-12 education, allowed tax-free withdrawals from some savings plans for higher education, expanded the deduction for interest on student loans and created a new, “above-the-line” deduction for up to $3,000 of higher education expenses.

Due to a procedural quirk in the Senate rules, much of this tax relief will expire after 10 years. I will work hard with the President and my colleagues in Congress to make this relief permanent, and one of our key education priorities for this fall in Congress will be the Back to School Tax Relief Act of 2002. We are going to work to empower parents to make the best possible choices when it comes to educating their children. The legislation improves the affordability of the best kindergarten through twelfth grade education by allowing families to claim a $3,000 above-the-line tax deduction.

Passage of this bill would be a major victory for working families across the country. The proposed optional tax deduction would help families with costs incurred through education such as tutoring, computer equipment, transportation and supplies.

By supporting hands-on parental involvement initiatives and other innovative ideas, Congress is giving parents a choice and students a chance. Our education agenda is a plan that truly leaves no child behind.

DAVID VITTER represents Louisiana in the First Congressional District. He may be reached at (504) 589-2753.