Issue Position: Our Education

Issue Position

As a family-oriented state, emphasis on a quality educational system is extremely important. Idaho has a responsibility to its children to fulfill the Constitutional mandate to provide a uniform and thorough system of schools for our children. I believe that there are three major components of a successful educational system: local control, balanced allocation of resources, and school choice.

Maintain local control: Idaho is better equipped to handle its educational needs than the federal government whether that be educational standards, curriculum selection, or student data. Because of this, I do not support a one-size-fits-all approach to educational standards. Maintaining local control of our education system allows Idaho to emphasize individualized student needs and abilities. While necessary standardization and success-measuring tools are important, these tools should be within the control of our local school boards and our State rather than out-of-state entities.

Better allocation of resources: Idaho schools have historically experienced either a lack or imbalance of resources. Rather than raise taxes, resources must be reallocated more efficiently. We must determine what programs are working and what programs are not. A system that facilitates the involvement of educators, faculty, and parents, with sufficient and efficient funding, will best serve our children and ultimately our state.

School Choice: Parents and families have many options available to choose from when seeking the best way for their children to be educated. Idaho families want and deserve the ability to be involved and active in their children's education whether that be traditional public schools, charter schools, online schools, religious schools, or home schools.

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