Education

<p>As a member of the <a href="http://edworkforce.house.gov/">House Committee on Education and the Workforce</a>, I am committed to strengthening America’s education system.&nbsp; Since coming to Congress, I have fought to advance fiscally responsible reforms to improve educational opportunities from pre-K early childhood education through higher education and beyond. </p>
<p>Over the past few years, unnecessary federal regulations have made it much harder for teachers to offer their students the most excellent education. Earlier this year, I signed on as a cosponsor to <a href="http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.112hr3989">H.R. 3989</a>, The Student Success Act.&nbsp; This legislation is designed to reduce the federal footprint in education by getting rid of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the current accountability system that no longer effectively benefits our students.&nbsp; The passage of this bill will return responsibility back to the states and locally elected school boards, the entities which best know what it takes to provide quality education to our children.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Additionally, I also cosponsored <a href="http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.112hr3990">H.R. 3990</a>, The Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act.&nbsp; This bill removes unnecessary federal regulations and requires states and school districts to develop teacher evaluation systems that measure an educator’s influence on his/her students rather than relying on a teacher’s credentials.&nbsp;&nbsp; This legislation also supports opportunities for parents to enroll their children in local charter and magnet schools, further encouraging parents to become more involved in their child’s educational success.&nbsp; </p>
<p>I have faith in our school boards, administrators, and professional classroom educators and will continue to work as a partner with them to ensure that students in the Second Congressional District receive the highest quality education.</p>