States that enter into this agreement must also submit performance data to the Secretary of Education on an annual basis. If the state fails to substantially reach their goals after the five-year period, they will lose their charter status and will revert back to the categorical method of receiving funds. In addition, if states do well, they will be rewarded with bonus funds. I feel that this legislation is an important step towards moving control over education to the states where it belongs. Although we are making strides in the area of education, there are still problems to be dealt with.
Many states suffer from significant revenue decline in recent years.
Others have patterns of funding sources that are wildly disproportionate. However, funding questions should not overshadow our focus on practical and competitive skills, and community involvement. I am encouraged by efforts in Arizona to bring parents, educators, and businesses together to find ways of making schools work better. I encourage you to contact our school board members, state legislators, and the Governor with your ideas, since that is where real reform must begin. We all need to work to ensure that our children are prepared to face the 21 st Century.