Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Rep. Whitfield believes that local school officials, not federal employees at the Department of Education, should make decisions about the educational needs of our Kentucky schools. Rep. Whitfield continues to work to restore local control to local school boards and districts and empower parents to become more involved in their children's education. Beyond elementary and secondary education, Rep. Whitfield also remains committed to making higher education more affordable for all students.

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Whitfield has continually supported legislation to ensure that our Kentucky public school systems provide the necessary programs and support that all students need to achieve academic success. These programs play a vital role in providing children and young adults with the education they need to be successful in an increasingly competitive economy.

Rep. Whitfield will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which he believes will continue improving Kentucky's school achievement standards while also returning resources and control to local communities. Rep. Whitfield believes that local school systems are best equipped to identify student and teacher needs and states must be given maximum flexibility to create and implement education reforms. While schools must be held accountable for performance and education, accountability should also extend to parents and taxpayers at the local level. Rep. Whitfield has met with numerous students, teachers and administrators to gain feedback about ESEA and looks forward to participating in the ESEA re authorization discussion.

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