The United States was once considered a world leader in education. Unfortunately, this trend ended around the 1980s after Congress ignorantly passed legislation. Ministry of Education Organization Law, unnecessarily expanding the reach of the federal government into the lives of Americans and the hearts of young Americans. Since then, proponents of individual liberty and limited government have faced a long and uphill battle to put the power of education back in the hands of parents rather than overbloated government bureaucracies. Shortly after the Department of Education was created in 1980, Republican leaders rightly placed the concept of educational choice firmly within the party platform, and it has remained so for decades. Many party leaders, including Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, have embraced principles such as limited government, individual liberty, and free market solutions to meet the educational needs of families across the republic. We've been leading this fight over acceptance and school choice.
Today, decades after the creation of the Department of Education, the United States ranks in the middle of the pack compared to other countries and is no longer considered a world leader in education. By many standards, America is lacking in American youth in many ways, but especially in terms of education and preparation to achieve the American Dream. In Missouri, recent test scores reflect that the state's dominance of the public school education model and the large amounts of money it pumps into the system year after year are failing families and taxpayers. Now, more than ever, state leaders need to embrace the concept of educational choice, which puts the power to educate young people back in the hands of parents, not the government.
School choice, limited government, and parental empowerment in the educational decision-making process must remain key elements of the Republican commitment to individual freedom and educational excellence. As part of the Republican platform, we believe in giving families the freedom to choose the educational path that is best for their children and ensuring a future where all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I am. By supporting school choice, we not only respect the diversity of each student's needs, but also foster an environment in which educational innovation can thrive. This historic commitment to school choice and parental empowerment is central to the Republican Party's vision of a more prosperous, educated, and free society.
Growing up in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, it was clear to my parents that the public school model was not the best for me. After 5th In first grade, they decided to send me to a private school in the area, but I had to work long hours, extra shifts, and overtime to finance the investment in my future. did. Meanwhile, their hard-earned taxes continued to fund public schools. Me and many of my friends were failing. Years later, as a parent, I filed an education choice fight in Missouri court after Democrats tried to kick me off the ballot. Since my daughters were not allowed access to the resources my taxes paid for, our family decided to purchase property in a public school district with a private school. Families should not be forced to work extra shifts, work overtime, or face lawsuits just to ensure their children receive the best education for their needs.
As Republicans, we must continue to champion educational choice as a core principle of our party platform. We cannot afford to make any concessions on this important issue, especially at a time when the future prosperity and competitiveness of our state and nation depend on the strength of our education system. By empowering parents to choose the educational path that best fits their child's needs, we unleash the power of competition through free markets, innovation, and accountability within Missouri's education system. By upholding the principles of freedom, opportunity, and personal responsibility, we can pave the way to a brighter future for all Missourians.
My pledge to you is that I remain unwavering in my commitment to providing genuine educational choice. all Missourians. It's not just those who can afford to fund their children's educational needs and failing public schools at the same time. I am committed to working with all individuals and organizations to ensure that federal and state government officials do not interfere in private school and homeschool operations. Our nation's founders never imagined that our nation would handcuff its people to a government-directed education model. They understood that parents, not the government, knew what was best for their children. So let's finally embrace that vision and work together to prioritize the best interests of all Missouri children, not the bank accounts of public schools and their superintendents.
