Henry Brown: “the foundation upon which every American child's future is based begins with a quality education. This amendment…”

“the foundation upon which every American child's future is based begins with a quality education. This amendment provides a vehicle to ensure this ideal becomes a reality. Every child deserves a good education, not just those whose parents can afford to send them to a different school. In the past, the solution to America's education problem has been to simply throw money at it. While the federal government has spent billions of dollars on education, there are still countless children trapped in failing school systems. This amendment acknowledges that money alone does not provide for a quality education, but instead requires strengthening the framework of America's schools; in other words, fundamental reform. To achieve this vision for reform, it is essential to close the achievement gap and provide disadvantaged students with the same opportunities as other children. In recent years, society has increasingly forgotten those children who have not been afforded the basic needs with which to fulfill their dreams. It is unacceptable that in the twenty-first century nearly 70 percent of inner city and rural fourth-graders cannot read at a basic level. Illiteracy has far-reaching consequences that affect social development and opportunities for successful employment. Many lawmakers, including myself, want to involve parents more on education. Why shouldn't parents have the right to send their children to the school of their choice?”