Ted Yoho: Put power back into parents' hands to educate children

Every American benefits from a quality education. Whether they are from rural counties or urban cities, every person, including those in poverty and those with disabilities, should have access to a quality education.

It is not only essential for their personal growth and success but an enlightened citizenry creates a solid foundation for the country. Thomas Jefferson said, "An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently to enable them to exercise oversight." With this in mind, the education of our children is a national priority of the highest importance. Without them, America's foundation is weak and therefore our country is weak.

Our education system used to be the envy of the world throughout much of the 20th century. Unfortunately, over the past few decades we have seen a slow steady decline in the quality of our education system. Despite spending for K-12 education doubling over the past 40 years, our education system is failing students and has fallen further behind the international competition. I feel it is unacceptable for a country like ours, with the resources we have at our disposal, to allow this to happen.

There are clear differences of opinion on how best to educate the future of America. Some say it rests upon the states and the individual at the local level and others believe the federal government is best suited to set the road map for an enlightened mind. I believe the former is the best course of action for our children and the country.

The federal government, in an effort to improve our failing schools, has become increasingly more involved. The byproduct of increased government intervention is that students have become statistics rather than individuals and federal involvement has only hampered the ability of schools to address the unique needs of each student and school district. The combination of No Child Left Behind and Common Core State Standards mandates have further stymied meaningful reform and the grant programs administered by the Department of Education have only made the problem worse.

This is why I have introduced the Transform Education in America through Choice (TEACH) Act. The bill will accomplish two goals. First, power will be returned to the states by eliminating the incentives through competitive grant programs for states and educational institutions to adopt top down mandates, terminating the administration's Race to the Top program that requires Common Core standards to be adopted. For years, Congress has opted not to fund some of competitive grant programs and greatly reduced funding for others. While this has served well as a short-term fix, my bill provides a permanent fix by repealing the programs entirely, saving over $3 billion dollars annually.

Second, my bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide portability, which allows parents and students to have choice on the education they are receiving. A student should not be trapped in a failing school because they have the misfortune of living in the wrong zip code.

The building blocks of a quality education begin at the state and local level, absent overarching government controls emanating from Washington, D.C. Concerned parents — taking an active role — working in coordination with local school districts to tailor the curriculum to the needs of the children is far more beneficial than a centralized bureaucracy far removed from local education.

Everyone I have spoken to — state and local officials, parents, other members of Congress — all agree our education system needs to be reformed. By doing so, we will regain our competitive edge and remain the entrepreneurial hub for innovation.

Milton Friedman said, "I blame only those well-meaning persons who, while sending their own children to private schools, self-righteously lecture the ‘lower classes' about their responsibility to put up with government-supplied pabulum in the ‘public interest.'"

The power of education and the advancement of knowledge opens and elevates the mind. It is time that we put the power back into the hands of parents along with state and local officials to educate our children. Our kids are our future and setting up a system for them to succeed will not only create a bright future for them but a strong foundation for America. That is why I have introduced the TEACH Act.

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho is a Gainesville Republican whose district includes part of Alachua County and 12 other counties.