Each school district has unique needs as it works hard to educate our children and keep them safe. When these districts range in size from 150 students to over 100,000 students, it is misguided for Congress to try to create one-size fits all federal programs appropriate for the needs of each school. We must provide local communities with the flexibility they need to address the needs within their own schools. While one school district might have over-crowded classrooms, a neighboring district may need new textbooks or a computer lab. It is common sense to leave the primary control of public school curriculum and administration to local interests teachers, elected school boards, parents, municipal governments, and others in the community.
Local communities know their own priorities.
Unfortunately, even with the best of intentions, Washington often feels the need to meddle. While funding an average of only 7 percent of public schools' income, Washington forces teachers and administrators to jump through hoops and unravel miles of red tape in order to access these funds. Or, the government makes demands on schools without providing the resources necessary to meet them. In doing this, the federal government removes the ability of communities to target federal funds to their highest education priorities and best serve their children. However, efforts are being made to change this.