As the son of a North Carolina public school teacher and a dad, I strongly believe every child should have access to an excellent education. In Congress, I have focused on ways to advance fiscally responsible education reforms and improve opportunities for all students. I believe this is the path to create a more prosperous America for the next generation.

Excessive intervention by the federal government has made it harder for teachers to help students reach their full potential. We must improve education by moving from the bureaucratic-dominated status quo, to a state and locally-controlled approach that includes accountability and increased parent choice. For far too long, Washington has dictated what happens in our children’s classrooms.  Parents and teachers, not politicians in D.C., know best what it takes to provide quality education for our children.

Across North Carolina, I have seen firsthand how effective high-skilled job-training programs can be, both for young people and for adults in job transition. I continue to support education, job-training, and workforce development programs which open doors to students, veterans, and all North Carolinians. Legislation I have advanced includes:

• The Every Student Succeeds Act which ended Washington's mandate on 'Common Core' and No Child Left Behind
• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which streamlined workforce development programs and protected taxpayer dollar
• The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act which supported CTE programs
• The Parents Bill of Rights Act to defend the rights of parents in a child’s education

Education is the key to preparing the next generation for success in the highly competitive 21st century economy. I will continue to focus on reforms which empower teachers, parents, and students to improve education for all Americans.