ICYMI - Rokita Engages Duncan on Education Waivers - Duncan Agrees with Rokita: "No Bureaucrat Knows the Children of a State Better than Teachers and Taxpayers in That State

Press Release

Today, during a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing, Rep. Todd Rokita, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, questioned Education Secretary Arne Duncan on several key education issues from Native American education and No Child Left Behind waivers, to Gainful Employment regulations for higher education institutions.

During the discussion regarding the recent revocation of the State of Washington's No Child Left Behind waiver by the Department of Education, Duncan agreed with Rokita's underlying education philosophy that federal bureaucrats cannot possibly know American students better than their families, teachers, and the state and local governments that are constitutionally responsible for their education.

Duncan's answer contradicts many of the policies that have been associated with his tenure as Secretary of Education, which quite often have tied state education funding to one-size-fits-all policies mandated by the federal government.

Rokita, along with Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Kline, introduced and lead passage of the Student Success Act last year. The Student Success Act was written to reflect the belief that Duncan agreed with -- that parents, teachers, and taxpayers know our students better than bureaucrats. The Student Success Act is a rewrite to No Child Left Behind and a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Learn more about the Student Success Act here.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has failed to bring the bill to the floor for a vote, leading education experts to question Reid's priorities - politics or the education of American students?

In addition to the questions regarding the State of Washington's waiver, Rokita also pledged to work with Secretary Duncan to pursue better outcomes for Native American tribal community students.

Source