It has been a success in Texas, and it will prove to be beneficial to the rest of the U.S. as well. The contract requires participating states to guarantee that all students academic achievement would improve over five years. In exchange, these states would be exempted from extraneous paperwork and red tape to pursue their successful educational priorities. This year, Congress will try again to create Education Savings Accounts to help parents save money tax-free for their children s educational needs, whether it s for books, computers, tuition or tutors. If parents can start saving early, before their children even begin school, their investment will grow over time and benefit their children throughout their school years.
Education is about results.
It also requires accountability. When a school succeeds, someone deserves credit and praise. On the other hand, when a school fails, someone must be held responsible. We should encourage and reward only those schools and those teachers that succeed. For example, several Title I schools near my home were recently recognized by the Texas Education Agency for their success.