Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the home school-private school freedom amendment. As I listen to the debate on H.R. 6 I hear much debate about how to make the schools better, most of that information coming from the people and the institutions running today's educational system. If we were really interested in improving our schools we should be listening and talking to those who have opted out of the current educational system. Let's talk to the 51 percent of the people in Minnesota who said that if they could move their children at no cost, they would opt out of the public school system. If we were really interested in improving our schools we wouldn't be stifling creativity and new learning approaches, we would be encouraging them. Contrary to what our committee believes, one size does not fit all. One of the most effective teachers that I have met in the last 2 years is a former Marine sergeant, who is not certified. He takes kids who have failed in the traditional school system, surrounds them with the latest in technology and strict discipline. In 7 weeks they progress the equivalent of 2 years of traditional learning in reading, writing, and math. Education needs creativity, it needs experimentation, it needs the spirit of free enterprise, and it needs a healthy dose of parental, community, and individual accountability and involvement.”