Education and the Federal Government
I recently received a letter from a voter who asked my position on education . This is my response.
Dear Citizen,
Thanks for the question on education and school reform. Yes we are a home school family. My older kids attend McNeese. We have been very fortunate that we are able to home school. We recognize that it is a good choice for us but not the best choice for most families. High quality education is essential. I am seeking a position in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position in the federal government. I believe that the federal government role should be very limited in regards to education for several reasons.
First, the success of the department of education has been poor and has come at great expense. It is unwise to continue. A good example is the No Child Left Behind program. The lofty ideological goals sounded good initially but in the implementation the ideology turns into rules and regulations and imposition of accountability and standards into the classroom from a remote Washington agency. It has achieved nothing and many states prefer to have waivers out of the program. Other states desire waivers but are unable to accept the conditions attached to the waiver.
Second, the 10 th amendment limits the role of the federal government. I favor an interpretation of that amendment that would justify only a very limited role in education for the federal government. I recently spoke to a local teacher's union on these issue. We found much common ground as they objected to the remote big government imposing accountability and standards. We agreed that it was best accomplished locally.
Third, reform should take place at the local level and should involve the federal government as little as possible. Citizens at the local and state level may wish to consider the merits of reforms that encourage more choice and more participation in reform by parents and teachers. Charter schools and vouchers both have merit. These should be discussed and decided on at the local and state level. The exception of course is Washington D.C. where the Congress has legislative authority. I would favor reinstating the voucher program in response to the request of the parents in D.C.
Thanks for the question and the interest in my campaign. Please consider sharing my web site information with your family, friends and email contacts. The success of this campaign depends on good citizenship.
Bryan Barrilleaux
Candidate by Petition
U.S. House of Representatives
District 3, Louisiana
.--- On Wed, 10/24/12,
Dear Citizen,
Thanks for the question on education and school reform. Yes we are a home school family. My older kids attend McNeese. We have been very fortunate that we are able to home school. We recognize that it is a good choice for us but not the best choice for most families. High quality education is essential. I am seeking a position in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position in the federal government. I believe that the federal government role should be very limited in regards to education for several reasons.
First, the success of the department of education has been poor and has come at great expense. It is unwise to continue. A good example is the No Child Left Behind program. The lofty ideological goals sounded good initially but in the implementation the ideology turns into rules and regulations and imposition of accountability and standards into the classroom from a remote Washington agency. It has achieved nothing and many states prefer to have waivers out of the program. Other states desire waivers but are unable to accept the conditions attached to the waiver.
Second, the 10 th amendment limits the role of the federal government. I favor an interpretation of that amendment that would justify only a very limited role in education for the federal government. I recently spoke to a local teacher's union on these issue. We found much common ground as they objected to the remote big government imposing accountability and standards. We agreed that it was best accomplished locally.
Third, reform should take place at the local level and should involve the federal government as little as possible. Citizens at the local and state level may wish to consider the merits of reforms that encourage more choice and more participation in reform by parents and teachers. Charter schools and vouchers both have merit. These should be discussed and decided on at the local and state level. The exception of course is Washington D.C. where the Congress has legislative authority. I would favor reinstating the voucher program in response to the request of the parents in D.C.
Thanks for the question and the interest in my campaign. Please consider sharing my web site information with your family, friends and email contacts. The success of this campaign depends on good citizenship.
Bryan Barrilleaux
Candidate by Petition
U.S. House of Representatives
District 3, Louisiana
.--- On Wed, 10/24/12,