Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

The future of our state depends on educating our children. I believe the answer to improving our underperforming schools isn't simply to raise per pupil funding. More decisions need to be made at the district and school level. Parent, family and community involvement in local schools makes a positive difference on individual student and school performance.

Too much time is spent teaching for standardized tests and not on individualized instruction. I led the successful effort last year to eliminate the requirement that each student, regardless of his or her college or career path, take the ACT. A student may now take a college entrance test (ACT or SAT), a career readiness test, or both.

I support each parent's right to choose the best educational environment for his or her child. I am a product of and supporter of public education, but school choice provides freedom and opportunity for parents and students. We should look to private, charter, home, and virtual schools as idea incubators for our public schools. On that note, I have introduced major school choice legislation that would expand private school tax credits and establish educational savings accounts for use at private schools.

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