No reauthorization for No Child Left Behind. Each reauthorization of NCLB, and its predecessor, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, has severely diminished local control and influence over education. With the passing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and with each reauthorization the decision making authority of school boards, administrators, and teachers has declined and the education of our children has become entwined in bureaucratic red tape. I favor and strongly support localized control of education, one where states, local governments and local school boards have the ultimate authority to set and implement educational policy and objectives. The education of our children does not belong in the hands of Washington bureaucrats and politicians. Since its inception provisions of the legislation have led to loss of transparency to  parents and taxpayers about students’ real academic performance. Overall academic performance has not improved and will not improve as educators focus on teaching only what is necessary to ensure high grades on standardized tests. As a former certified teacher, I support local control, individualized education, creative thinking and true learning. We cannot continue to push children through the system to meet some artificial measure of success. .The federal government has no role in education. | | The setting of standards, design of cirriculm must reside with state and local school boards. Local boards must address the educational needs of distressed rural and urban areas and implement programs that include, school choice initiatives, charter schools when necessary, and merit pay for teachers All educational programs, must be implemented and controlled at the local level, must provide real opportunity for children to start on an equal playing field and must prevent “at risk” students from dropping out and help produce an experienced and skilled work force. Teaching our children to pass a standardized test does not promote learning or the development of the skills necessary to succeed; it limits the instructor’s ability to teach the whole child and drives the development of the curriculum Local school boards must reward success and support teachers in their efforts to help students learn by reducing class sizes to promote student achievement. Additionally, local boards must implement a reward system to ensure that students and the schools they attend are supported by parents, families and communities that earnestly partake in the learning experience. You achieve this level of involvement by returing control of education to the States and local boards. The continued existence of a government of the people, for the people, and by the people is not possible unless we provide for and educate our children, and instill in them the knowledge and foundation necessary to succeed, keep our country secure and exercise oversight of the government through the Constitution and Bill of Rights, |
