Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Nowhere has the federal government's mind-set of spending its way out of trouble been more evident that in its approach to education. In 1965, Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Act, effectively beginning federal funding of education in the United States. Since then, we have seen more and more money poured into public education resulting only in slipping test scores and students left further and further behind. In fact, a recent study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked the United States 1st in annual spending per pupil at $13,447.00; but a sobering 18th in total education with only 75% earning a high school diploma. The Department of Education estimates the total cost of education to the American taxpayers will come in at $543 billion. That's almost 4 times what we will spend on the War on Terror this year, with far less scrutiny placed on how that money is being spent.

With statistics like that, I believe it's time we demand accountability for how our educational dollars are being spent. That's why I support increased competition in the educational system by giving tax credits to families that send their children to private or choose to home school. Competition and choice are the driving forces behind innovation, and empowering parents to choose the best education for their child will increase their opportunity to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.

I strictly support maintaining local control of education, and empowering teachers to teach by concentrating educational spending on the classroom, and not on bureaucracy. We must give teachers more authority to teach, and reward educators that produce positive results. As your Congressman, I will ensure that Hoosiers kids get the education necessary to compete at home and abroad.

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