Education Reform Poll Results (August 2010)

I wanted to follow up on my earlier education poll and share the results with you. While the results are not scientific, I do appreciate knowing your views on this important issue.

The results were as follows:

The proper role of the federal government in education policy is to:

_________

A. Establish a national test measuring education achievement, enhance accountability standards for school performance, and increase funding for education
13%

B. Maintain the current policy of partially funding education initiatives and supplementing state and local efforts through federal requirements to test 3^rd-8^th grade students and to address underperforming schools
10%

C. Leave decisions about education and funding for programs exclusively to local education agencies and state governments
57%

D. Other (Please use the link after submitting the poll to share your thoughts)
20%

Those who selected the "other" option supported some of the reform ideas such as increased accountability and commented on the important effect that home and family have on education, regardless of the quality of the system.

As a former school board member, I know that providing a first-rate education for America's children is certainly one of the most important responsibilities of parents and local and state officials. If we took steps to encourage and better enable parental involvement, we would see great improvements in our education system. I believe that government needs to encourage financial transparency to better inform parents about how their schools are spending tax dollars, and I strongly support giving parents the opportunity to send their children to a private, public, parochial, or charter school of their choice.

I appreciate the input of everyone who took the time to participate in the poll or write to me about education reform, and I will keep your views in mind as Congress addresses the issue in the future.