Katie Porter: “But a Federal 100,000-teacher mandate does cause problems in the local area. We set out last year in a bipartisan way to…”

“But a Federal 100,000-teacher mandate does cause problems in the local area. We set out last year in a bipartisan way to really find out how our committee could help do a better job of education across the country. We held hearings across the country, and we listened to people. We listened to parents. We listened to teachers. We listened to school board members, superintendents. We asked them, what is the most important thing in education? And they said, first of all, the parent; and, secondly, a qualified teacher. Now, I have six children. I have 19 grandchildren. It is important to me that they have a good education. When our children were going to school and my wife was active, she was PTA president. She was very active in the local schools, most of the parents know who the best teachers in the schools are. Most of the parents know which teachers are the most qualified and which can help their students learn the most. And they try to get their students into the classroom with the best qualified teacher.”