Ted Yoho Trying to Wrest Education Back from the Federal Government

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., unveiled a proposal to bring major reforms to the U.S. Department of Education last week and doubled down on his idea on Tuesday.

Last week, Yoho called for more state control and less of a federal role in education and introduced his “Transform Education in America through Choice (TEACH) Act.” The Florida congressman said his bill would give state and local governments a three-year window to “evaluate and implement best practice standards for our nation’s K-12 educational system” while keeping federal involvement to a minimum.

“The federal government, in an effort to improve our failing schools, has become increasingly more involved,” Yoho said on Thursday. “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.

“There are clear differences of opinion on how best to educate the future of America,” Yoho added. “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.”

Yoho insisted the U.S. Department of Education has grown too large, calling for it to be streamlined and turn more of its duties over to the states.

“Whether they are from rural counties or urban cities, every student, including those in poverty and those with disabilities, should have access to a quality education,” Yoho said. “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.”

Yoho returned to that theme on Tuesday in a column published in the Gainesville Sun and pointed to Common Core standards and No Child Left Behind as further proof that the federal government needs to take less of a role on education, insisting these programs “have further stymied meaningful reform and the grant programs administered by the Department of Education has only made the problem worse.”

The North Florida congressman made the case for why education needs to be tackled outside of the Beltway.

“The building blocks of a quality education begin at the state and local level, absent overarching government controls emanating from Washington, D.C.,” Yoho wrote. “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 bu

reaucracy 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,” Yoho added. “By doing so, we will regain our competitive edge and remain the entrepreneurial hub for innovation.”

Sources close to Yoho told Sunshine State News that he is currently actively looking for a partner in the U.S. Senate for his bill.

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN