Political Quotes

“I am joined by the chair and ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to discuss one of my amendments, Whitehouse No. 2185, to the Every Child Achieves Act, which would establish an Innovation Schools Demonstration Authority. I thank them for their leadership on this important legislation and join them today to discuss the purpose of the amendment. Teachers and school leaders possess a unique understanding of the students and communities they serve. My amendment is intended to help schools address these unique needs through increased autonomy from local, State, and Federal regulations. In Rhode Island I have heard from school leaders who would like to extend the school day for struggling students, take ownership over school budgeting and financing or manage their school's human resources but are unable to do so because existing rules and regulations get in the way. The prospects of moving bureaucratic approaches at all three levels of government can be daunting, but this measure is designed to clear a path. Several States are already experimenting with increased school autonomy. In Massachusetts, where State law allows for innovation status, schools are already benefiting from regulatory flexibility. In Revere, MA, the Paul Revere Elementary School uses regulatory flexibility around staffing, budgeting, scheduling, and curriculum to operate a school model that emphasizes staff collaboration and differentiated instruction.…”