Bill Barrett: “I rise in opposition to H.R. 6, a bill that, as currently drafted, is an attempt to federalize the delivery of education…”

“I rise in opposition to H.R. 6, a bill that, as currently drafted, is an attempt to federalize the delivery of education in America. H.R. 6 mandates that local schools meet yet-to-be developed opportunity to learn standards [OTLS]. The Federal Government likes to establish standards, but we cannot seem to find a way to pay for them. Do I need to remind my colleagues of the millions, if not billions, that local school districts have had to fork over to meet Federal asbestos removal standards? A laudable goal, but one that has been unfunded. Well. H.R. 6 is the asbestos removal approach to education. It provides all the mandates, but no money to pay for them. The Federal Government makes a multitude of new demands, but it is accountable for none. Like all Members of the House, I have heard from hundreds, if not thousands, of constituents concerned with the home schooling provisions in the bill. Let me simply say this-- I firmly believe that States and local governments are best suited for establishing curriculum, teacher certification, and school academic standards. The Federal Government has no business whatsoever, beyond current civil rights law, to impose its imprint on these so-called sacred areas of education.”