Education
|
Education Education is most effective when it is controlled at the state and local level and parents are given more choices in their child’s education. I will continue to oppose all efforts to increase the involvement of the federal government in our education system. In order to be competitive on the world stage, the United States must improve its public education system. Creating universal standardized tests, which fail to promote a culture of learning, is not the answer, nor is increasing spending and bureaucracy. If taxpayer funds could guarantee academic achievement, America's public schools would be the best in the world. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We spend more on education than any other country, yet our children have fallen behind those in other industrialized nations in actual educational achievement. Since 1960, government spending on elementary and secondary education has increased nearly threefold. During that same period, we have seen the quality of our education system dramatically decline; test scores have plummeted and high school drop out rates have increased. I strongly support the A Plus Act, H.R. 1539, sponsored by Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI). This bill would enable states to assume full responsibility for the educational needs of their students. By allowing a state to combine the funds from several federal education programs into one funding stream, the A Plus Act frees participating states from the overly burdensome federal bureaucratic requirements. States could then use the federal funds for state-driven initiatives that advance their individual educational priorities. I am committed to promoting legislation that creates an education system in which parents, families, and teachers, rather than bureaucrats in Washington, are in charge. Related Documents:
Press Release
-
House Passes Shadegg Amendment Ensuring Greater Resources for Disabled Children and a Safer Learning Environment
4.30.2003
Related Files:
|