Idaho’s adoption and implementation of Common Core can be seen by the impact of the mandated “SBAC” test. It is costly, time-consuming, distracting to administer, and intrusive on our schools. And for it, are we gaining the results we need to ensure our children are getting a high-quality education? The federal government has been imposing education requirements on states since the 1970s. From initiatives in the 1990s, to No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, the federal government has given us everything except for one thing: a good education. A good education comes from involved parents, good teachers, top-quality learning materials, the latest technology, and a supportive community. All of that is here in Idaho.

We must build an education system that provides high-quality training to ensure a competitive workforce. That includes opportunities for re-training to get people back to work in emerging industries. Rather than embracing federal regulations, I believe that we should limit the federal government’s role in education by creating local programs that allow parents to control what their children are being taught. Whether it’s public, private, charter, digital or home school, the success of the student must come first. That’s why Idahoans, not the federal government, should control our own education system.

We must build an education system that provides high-quality training to ensure a competitive workforce. That includes opportunities for re-training to get people back to work in emerging industries. Local governments need flexibility to work with companies looking to locate or expand in Boise, Meridian, and the rest of Idaho. That’s why I promote cutting taxes and incentivizing the people of Idaho to excel in our own economy.