Helping more children escape underperforming schools through expanded school choice options is a key priority for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. As Chairman John Kline (R-MN) recently said, “Charter schools, magnet schools, and scholarship programs have provided thousands of families new hope and opportunity, helping put countless children on the path to a brighter future.” In... Read more »
This week the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 367, the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. Sponsored by Rep. Todd Young (R-IN), the legislation would require federal agencies to submit major regulations (those with an annual economic effect of more than $100 million) to Congress for approval. H.R. 367 will help control regulatory costs and promote ... Read more »
In a landslide vote, the Democrat-led Senate finally amended and approved House-passed legislation to get politicians out of the business of setting student loan interest rates. As Chairman Kline said after yesterday’s remarkable vote, “We finally have a Senate agreement worthy of public support [that] reflects the policies and priorities of the House-passed Smarter Solutions for Students Act. Thi... Read more »
Support continues to grow for the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), legislation the House is currently considering to rewrite the nation’s K-12 education law. As detailed in letters sent to the committee, the Student Success Act will help raise student achievement by restoring local control, supporting more effective teachers, reducing the federal footprint, and empowering parents: “The Student Succes... Read more »
Studies show parental involvement is a significant factor in determining a child’s success in the classroom. But instead of recognizing this important role, existing federal policies have made schools more accountable to Washington bureaucrats than parents and local communities. In addition, layers of federal regulations have limited education options, preventing families from finding alternatives... Read more »
No one understands the needs of students better than the parents, teachers, and school administrators who spend time with them every day. Yet current law assumes Washington knows best, mandating one-size-fits-all accountability requirements that restrict states’ ability to effectively evaluate and improve student achievement. It’s time to end this top-down approach and give state and local leaders... Read more »
For more than a decade, federal K-12 education law has relied upon strict requirements to determine “highly qualified” teachers. These requirements focus solely on credentials and diplomas, and ignore an educator’s ability to actually teach and raise student achievement levels. Our children deserve better. The House Education and the Workforce Committee is advancing the Student Success Act, legisl... Read more »
Decades of growing federal intrusion in America’s elementary and secondary schools has failed to significantly improve student achievement. Nearly half of our elementary school children are below grade level in reading and math, and far too many high school students graduate without the skills they need to succeed. It’s time for a better approach. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce... Read more »
America’s education system faces serious challenges, and the federal law governing K-12 classrooms is overdue for reform. But instead of working with Congress to rewrite the law, the Obama administration is using conditional waivers and pet grant programs to compel states to adopt the president’s preferred education reforms. In fact, just last week the administration announced plans to further exp... Read more »
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is marking up the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), legislation to rewrite the nation’s K-12 education law. Despite critics’ best attempts to dismiss this responsible proposal, committee Republicans know H.R. 5 is an important step forward for students, families, and schools. It’s time to separate the myths from the facts in the K-12 reform debate. MY... Read more »
