Political Quotes

“The amendment I bring forward today deals specifically with reforms that many States have made. I will talk specifically about reforms that have been made in my great State of Louisiana, especially as it relates to teacher evaluation. Specifically, what my amendment would do would be to remove the mandate that is in the legislation that requires States to adopt the Federal rule on teacher evaluation. The reason I say that is not just because Louisiana has a highly successful teacher evaluation program that is working very well for the people of Louisiana, but in general, when you look at the successes that we've seen across the country as it relates to education reform, it has been State and local governments that have driven those great successes. That is because the States are the incubators, and our States and local governments are the most accountable to the parents who have most at stake in concern for the children's education. The amendment specifically makes sure that there can be no mandate by the Federal Government, especially one that would override what is being done at the State level. I have seen very closely in my State--in fact, when I was in the State legislature, we passed some dramatic education reforms. When you look at the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, before the hurricane, it was probably one of the most failed, corrupt public education systems in the Nation.…”