Richard Shelby: “throughout this debate, we have wrestled with how we best improve education for all of our children; whether it is more…”

“throughout this debate, we have wrestled with how we best improve education for all of our children; whether it is more money, more flexibility, more accountability, higher standards, less bureaucracy, more choice. All of these considerations and goals are worthy and certainly play an important role in ensuring that our children receive the best education possible. But, there is one ingredient--one factor--that without fail, is the most essential to a child's education and that is a parent. I submit that there is no school building, no computer, no TV, no textbook that can replace the role of a parent when it comes to educating a child. And accordingly, no government official or school official shares the same interest as a parent in protecting and raising their child. I say this because the amendment Senator Dodd and I are offering today is about ensuring the rights and responsibilities of parents in raising and educating their children.”