New Catalog Highlights Innovative, Conservative Ideas that Work for Students and Parents
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Conservative Leaders for Education released its 2018 policy catalog “What Works In State Education Policy: Inspiring Ideas for Today’s Leaders” that highlights legislation state lawmakers are implementing to advance smart, common-sense education policy.
More than 20 of the policy initiatives discussed in the catalog have been signed into law. The policies advance four principles that conservatives view as critical to ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education regardless of where they live. These principles are the founding principles of Conservative Leaders for Education (CL4E): Local Control, Parent Choices, Accountability, and Quality Content.
“Conservative Leaders for Education dedicates itself to creating a strong, conservative network of state policy leaders,” said CL4E Chairman William J. Bennett. “We know that our founding principles provide an excellent framework for providing an education that will help students succeed in life. Our members understand that we can improve our schools by developing and implementing practical solutions to problems.”
As the catalog notes, education policy throughout the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories is a patchwork of complicated, redundant and burdensome laws and regulations that start at the federal level and seep out into the states. The new federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) marks the first time in more than 210 years that the federal government has liberated states from burdensome compliance requirements.
“Education policies guides the decisions of school administrators and educators who often tie themselves into figurative knots to make sure they are in compliance while trying to teach students,” said CL4E President Karen Nussle. “ESSA coincides with a time when more conservatives are holding key state policy positions than ever before. This is a real opportunity to set a course for education policies that will strengthen good schools and good teaching while giving parents the information they need to demand schools are accountable to their expectations.”
CL4E now comprises senior education policymakers representing 18 states, having added four new members this summer: Arkansas Senate Education Chair Jane English, Indiana House Education Chair Bob Benning, Iowa Senate Education Chair Amy Sinclair, and Pennsylvania Senate Education Chair John Eichelberger.
**The 2018 policy catalog is available here.**
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ABOUT CL4E: Conservative Leaders for Education is a campaign comprised of leading state policymakers focused on ensuring conservative principles gain traction in state policy decisions. CL4E is a 501(c)3 that does not affiliate with any political party. Learn more about us at www.conservativeleaders4ed.org