U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today emphasized the need for increased schooling options and parental involvement as part of his continued push for school choice. In remarks delivered on the Senate floor, Senator Tuberville stressed school choice as a key factor for students' educational success. Senator Tuberville helped introduce a resolution, which passed the Senate yesterday, in support of National School Choice Week.
Excerpts from the Senator's speech can be found below.
"Omicron's surge sent students home from classrooms and back in front of computer screens. And this is where parents' minds have been these last few weeks -- not on Senate rules, not on the filibuster, but on their children's education. Because when parents think about the future of our country, they think about their children "
"During my four decades of coaching, I saw firsthand how education provides an unparalleled opportunity to uplift students from all different backgrounds, races, and religions. Education is the key to opportunity and freedom. It empowers students to create a future for themselves. To make a better life for themselves. It's a way to achieve the American Dream. In short, education is our country's future. Ensuring the next generation receives a quality education is the most important investment we can make in the future success of our country."
"COVID turned our living rooms into classrooms -- bringing lesson plans on to kitchen tables in homes all across the country. This gave parents a front-row seat to what their children were and were not learning. And many parents did not like what they saw. Students weren't being taught how to think. They were being taught what to think. And this shift from what is right to what is "woke" has startled parents."
"The pandemic compounded existing problems in our education system -- and every child has felt the effects from this pandemic and not being in the classroom. But it has also highlighted a key piece of the education puzzle: parents."
"Now, as we look toward the future of education, we need to remember what the pandemic taught us: a one-size-fits-all does not fit education and it rarely works. And it certainly does not work for education. That's why when we talk about education moving forward, we have an opportunity to revisit the conversation about the importance of choice."
"A child's education shouldn't be defined by their zip code or financial limitations."
"School choice breaks down barriers and allows the funds to follow the student. School choice embraces the truth that different children learn in different ways and in different environments -- whether it be a charter school, public school, private school, or home school."
"That is why I am proud that the resolution I helped to introduce to recognize National School Choice Week passed the Senate last night. I'm glad my colleagues recognized how important it is to encourage parents and students to explore all available educational opportunities. But conversations about the importance of school choice should continue to drive our priorities throughout this year. If we join together, we can make that commitment, and our future for this country and our kids in this country will be that much brighter."