Part of this project involves going around the country to hear from educators, parents, students and other community leaders about education programs in their area and how they relate to the federal effort. Among the many successful schools we have visited are Vaughn Learning Center, a public charter school in the Los Angeles area, and Cornerstone School, a private, faith-based school in Detroit. These schools demonstrate that dedicated parents and teachers and a lack of bureaucracy lead to thriving, learning students. They show that there is no direct relationship between the amount of money spent and test scores of students. Almost 30 cents of every federal education dollar is lost in a maze of bureaucracy and never makes it to the classroom.
Successful schools spend less time on paperwork and more time on homework.
Learning cannot take place in a chaotic environment. Successful schools empower teachers and administrators to do what is necessary to secure a safe and peaceful learning atmosphere. Nothing is more important to preserving freedom and creating a brighter future for our children than a good education. Yet education in America is at a crossroads today because we are failing to provide a high-quality education to a large number of children. One reason for the breakdown of the system is that Congress has been unwilling to judge the impact of the money we already spend on education.