Drew Ferguson: “as a former teacher, I believe that our most profound responsibility is to ensure that every child has a first-class…”

“as a former teacher, I believe that our most profound responsibility is to ensure that every child has a first-class education, that no child is left behind, and that all students can share in the pride and promise of educational opportunity. That is why I am so pleased with the bipartisan support education reform is receiving from my colleagues in the House and in the Senate. It is important that we continue to put our children above politics. I believe that while we call for higher standards, we must also provide schools with both the funding and the flexibility that they need to succeed. Flexibility is a key to success. After all, the needs of schools in Green Brook and Warren, towns in my district in New Jersey, are different from the needs of schools in Green Bay and in Wichita. Targeting resources to local priorities will ensure that dollars reach the programs that need them the most, such as hiring new teachers to reduce class size, expanding charter schools and funding for new school construction. I commend our President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for advocating common sense education reforms that, if enacted, will strengthen our public schools and make sure that no child is left behind. After all, our children are our country's most precious resource.”