Washington’s role in education is at an all-time high. Today, the Department of Education: Operates more than 80 programs tied to the nation’s classrooms – the majority of which are ineffective, duplicative, and unnecessary; Controls how states and school districts gauge student achievement, improve underperforming schools, spend limited taxpayer dollars, and hire and fire teachers; and Coerces st... Read more »
For almost five years, the Obama administration has set federal education policy through a controversial and convoluted conditional waiver scheme – allowing the secretary of education to impose a backdoor education agenda on states and school districts that includes Common Core, teacher evaluations based on high–stakes testing, and prescriptive school improvement plans. Fortunately, a House-Senate... Read more »
Common Core. When it comes to education, perhaps no two words are more controversial. What began as a state-led effort to raise student achievement, has now prompted an open revolt against federal intrusion into the nation’s schools. The administration’s controversial waiver scheme and Race to the Top program empowered the secretary of education to push on states a specific set of academic standar... Read more »
No Child Left Behind was based on good intentions, but it was also based on the flawed premise that Washington knows best what students need to excel in school. The law led to the greatest federal intrusion into K-12 classrooms and failed to provide students the quality education they need to succeed in life. Instead of working with Congress to replace the law, the Obama administration has been s... Read more »
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 (H.R. 511), a bipartisan measure that will prevent the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from wrongfully interfering in Native American affairs. Since 2004, the NLRB has used a subjective test to determine when and where to assert its jurisdiction over Indian tribes, raising concerns througho... Read more »
Today, the White House is welcoming leaders from the more than 550 federally recognized Native American tribes for its 2015 Tribal Nations Conference. The event is intended to “strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country,” an important goal policymakers on both sides of the aisle share. That’s why House Republicans are championing a bipartisan measure to protect tribal... Read more »
Every year since 1994, presidents have issued proclamations designating November “National Native American Heritage Month,” a time to celebrate Native Americans for their rich culture and customs. It’s also a time to reaffirm our commitment to providing Native Americans the quality education they need to succeed. For more than 100 years, the federal government has been responsible for supporting s... Read more »
This week marks National Apprenticeship Week, a time for students, employees, educators, job creators, and policymakers to reflect on the critical role education and on-the-job experience play in helping Americans succeed in an increasingly competitive and evolving workforce. As conversations take place across the country about the importance of apprenticeships, many will likely also discuss the c... Read more »
In the five years since it was enacted, ObamaCare has led to higher costs, fewer full-time jobs, and less access to trusted health care providers. That’s why House Republicans have continued working to dismantle a flawed law that is wreaking havoc on working families and small businesses. Democrats are quick to criticize these efforts, but even the president himself has given his stamp of approval... Read more »
THE PROBLEM In an unprecedented decision that has union leaders celebrating, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) discarded years of settled labor policy and redefined what it means to be an employer. For more than 30 years, the NLRB considered two or more employers “joint employers” if they had “actual,” “direct,” and “immediate” control over essential terms and conditions of employment. As... Read more »
