Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As the proud father of four daughters, I believe that America's young people are our greatest resource. Students deserve an education system that fosters success, and parents rightly expect our schools to prepare our next generation to become productive, informed, and active members of society.

I have often said that government governs best when it governs closest to the people. Nowhere is this axiom more fitting than in how we educate our children. Simply put, it is time for Washington to get out of the way. We need to empower state and local officials to work with school administrators, teachers and parents to meet the unique needs of their own communities.

I support a federal education policy that puts the decision-making power back in the hands of the people who best understand our children, their challenges and their opportunities -- and that's certainly not the bureaucrats in Washington. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2514, the A PLUS Act, which allows states to opt out of certain No Child Left Behind provisions and rededicate those funds to meet specific education challenges in their own communities.

Parents play a critical role in shaping their children's future, and we, as parents, share a responsibility in providing them with a quality educational experience. A supportive, nurturing home life is essential to maximizing student success and reinforcing educational achievement.

As the former chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, I am passionate about providing our young people with a quality education and the tools they need to grow and make a positive contribution to their community.

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