Education

As a father of three children, I recognize the valuable role education plays in shaping young minds to grow into successful adults. I am encouraged by the programs we have today to enhance the education of all students, regardless of means, race or age. As a U.S. Senator, I am proud to work on behalf of Kansas on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to strengthen our educational system at all levels. For our youngest citizens, I am a strong advocate of the Head Start program. At the elementary and secondary levels, I have long fought to ensure local and state control over education. Finally, I am a strong supporter of providing all children the opportunity to move onto and be successful in postsecondary education.

I have consistently supported efforts to ensure every child has access to a quality education. I believe our children receive the best possible education when decisions are made at the local and state level. I have fought to keep federal resources where they are needed and proven most effective: at the local level. 

In 2015, with my support, Congress passed and the president signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The bill restores responsibility to states for their local schools by providing increased flexibility to design and implement their education programs. In addition, the legislation also strictly prohibits the U.S. Department of Education from dictating to states what standards to adopt, what accountability systems to implement, or how to use federal, state or local funds to operate their local schools. 

Furthermore, the Every Student Succeeds Act includes my language to permanently end the federal government’s ability to use any incentive or tool of coercion to force states to adopt Common Core – or any future set of standards. My legislation will preserve state education autonomy by explicitly prohibiting the federal government from coercing or incentivizing states to adopt education standards like Common Core. I supported the Every Student Succeeds Act because it puts an end to Washington mandates and allows Kansans to make their own decisions about the best way to improve education.