Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Our children are our future and quality education unlocks their unlimited potential. We need to: empower schools, administrators and teachers to create local strategies that prepare students to succeed in a global, high-tech economy; implement accountability for educators while allowing for local flexibility and avoiding one-size-fits-all regulations; provide long-term solutions to address student loan debt and higher education affordability.

I voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaces No Child Left Behind and greatly rolls back federal mandates in thousands of public schools.

In May (2015) I introduced legislation that would provide flexibility in the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules for schools when it comes to serving whole grain products and reducing sodium levels. The legislation does not change any other current requirements for calories, fruits or vegetables. The Healthy School Meals Act (S. 1146) would provide permanent flexibility for schools to comply with the USDA's sodium and whole grain requirements under the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.

Some of the most restrictive mandates have caused frustrated students to swap school lunch for unhealthy alternatives, defeating the goal of the standards and reducing revenue for menu improvements. We want to make sure our schools can serve healthy and nutritious meals that our students like, while also making their budgets.

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