Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Our children deserve the absolute best education this country can provide. With a strong educational system, we can prepare our children for the future while building a stronger America. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, I believe Washington has no business in our children's classrooms and I have worked diligently and successfully to give the power of educating our children back to those who know best, our parents and teachers. In December 2015, and over the four years prior, I led the effort to reform the federal government's involvement in our educational system. It started in my Subcommittee and went all the way to the President's desk. The law is the largest transfer of authority from the federal government to the states in over twenty five years. Specifically, it allows states and local educators to set the success criteria for schools, teachers, and students. But criteria are required indeed, because accountability is a good thing.

When parents have a choice over their children's educations, kids have an increased chance of success. Our children should be able to attend a school that best fits their educational needs. Right now in most cases, kids go to a school simply based on geography, i.e. a school district political boundary. I envision a system, utilized by both public and private schools where the schools compete for the attendance of students--and the taxpayer funding that follows the student. Increasing opportunities for school choice will help create more personalized educational environments allowing more students to thrive and succeed.

I have visited many schools all over the State of Indiana and have seen first-hand how the implementation of federal requirements have affected our schools. For example, we are using more technology in our schools and should be aware of how this affects student privacy. We need to make sure their personal information is being kept safe and secure. I have worked on legislation that provides the reforms necessary to protect students' privacy and holds schools, states, and independent entities accountable when they use a student's personal information.

I am also working on legislation to improve our school lunch programs. Neither the First Lady nor anyone else in the federal government should be dictating what our kids eat. In all the schools I have so far visited, I have not seen school cafeteria personnel or administrators neglect students' nutritional needs. The federal government should have as little involvement as possible.

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