By Rep Trey Radel
This month, we celebrate America's teachers, the unsung heroes who dedicate their lives to educating tomorrow's entrepreneurs and leaders. Abraham Lincoln said it best, "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next."
Unfortunately, Washington bureaucrats are forcing their philosophy into your child's school room, eliminating innovation, growth and creativity. This top-down Washington initiative is called "Common Core." It's a one-size-fits-all approach to your child's education. In other words, a select few bureaucrats in Washington, thousands of miles away from you -- physically and perhaps, philosophically -- will dictate everything from testing standards to curriculum for your child.
Our diverse country teaches us one size does not fit all. For example, Washington cannot demand a similar teaching style or test result from a teacher in Cape Coral as they would from a one in Milwaukee. It's unfair to the teacher, and it's unfair to the kids.
Why do we trust that the best ideas for our education system start in Washington? After being here, I know this is not true. The best ideas come from you; they come from a teacher at Fort Myers High, a guidance counselor at Gulfview Middle or a principal at Caloosa Elementary.
It's time to return the education of our children back to Florida and more importantly, Southwest Florida. I believe you make the best decisions on how your child should be raised, where your child goes to school and how your child should be disciplined.
Big Government is at its worst when Washington collects too many of your tax dollars, and then sends them back, mandating your child's education, saying "it's our way or the highway." What do we have to show for the trillions we have spent on national education mandates? Federal legislation has completely ignored the positive benefits of local decision-making.
Implementing a one-size-fits-all national system for Southwest Florida schools has led to unintended negative consequences for our kids and our teachers. Only by removing Congress from the classroom can we restore accountability, efficiency and even sanity to America's schools.
I want you to have a say and influence in your child's education.
Teachers, principals and members of our local school boards, I want you to run your classroom, your school and your school district, not some random bureaucrat in Washington who has no clue about the challenges you face. You are our neighbors, our friends and the future for our children.
After all, right here at home, we know what's best for our kids, not an empty suit thousands of miles away. I believe in you -- parents, teachers and students.
U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fort Myers, represents the 19th Congressional District which includes all of Lee County and parts of Collier County.