Utah's parents raise bright children who have exceptional potential. They deserve an education that will allow them to compete in today's global marketplace. Parents, with the aid of local school districts and schools, are responsible to ensure that children learn and develop into contributing adults who will uphold America's position in the world. The Federal government's role in education should be much more limited than it is today. The role of a congressman should be to reduce the Federal government's control over local education.

Instead of funneling education dollars through the Federal government, funds should remain in the states to be administered at the local level. Federal laws such as the No Child Left Behind Act unnecessarily increased the annual federal paperwork burden by over six million hours and federally imposed regulations added 6.7 million hours of record-keeping, reporting, and third party disclosure to state and local education officials (Office of Management and Budget). Every hour devoted to cumbersome paperwork takes time and money from educating our children. We should not hamper our teachers with unnecessary paper work. Federal programs requiring the State to comply with predefined regulations to receive funding should be eliminated.

Education is best managed at the local level. Broad-based parent and community support for our schools will ensure academic results and fiscal responsibility. States and schools need the flexibility to design educational programs that fit local needs and improve student achievement. It is imperative that we reduce the red tape that habitually obstructs results, accountability, and superior schools. Local school principals should have the authority to replace ineffective teachers. We should allow states to consolidate federal education programs and funding and redirect those resources to state education reform initiatives. Antiquated entitlement programs should be replaced with educational incentives which reward school efforts to restructure the learning process and promote student achievement.

If we as a nation are to continue our historic leadership on the global stage, we need a revamped education system that encourages innovation and gives our students the tools they need to compete and win. Government bureaucrats and regulations did not get us to the moon. The government provided a framework, but the creativity and innovation of the American people fulfilled the dream. Increased funds, access to quality education, and broad-based support will keep our schools competitive in today's world. We can never forget that our children are our hope for the future.