To help improve the federal role in education, the Republican Main Street Partnership has identified the following areas that should receive priority:
Provide flexibility in exchange for increased accountability.
Encourage more states to take advantaged of the Education-Flexibility waiver to better align federal programs with state and local priorities.
Currently, 15 states have Ed-Flex authority and, according to GAO reports, the waiver authority promotes a climate that encourages state and local educators to explore new approaches to education. Ultimately, the states must make the decision to apply for the waiver, but education leaders must encourage states and schools to be innovative in their approach to education improvement.
Enact new legislation to give states the option to combine education programs and funding in exchange for demonstrated improvements in student achievement at all levels
In exchange for new flexibility, a participating state would have to show how it would combine and use funds to advance education priorities, improve student achievement and narrow the learning gap. If, after three years, the state has failed to meet its own requirements, the flexibility authority would be terminated and administrative funds would be withheld.
Participating counts on VoteMatch question 7.
Topic: Education
Headline: Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable
(Score: 1)
