[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E321-E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OPPOSING NATIONAL TEACHER CERTIFICATION OR NATIONAL TEACHER TESTING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation to forbid the 
use of federal funds to develop or implement a national system of 
teacher certification or a national teacher test.

[[Page E322]]

My bill also forbids the Department of Education from denying funds to 
any state or local education agency because that state or local 
educational agency has refused to adopt a federally-approved method of 
teacher certification or testing. This legislation in no way interferes 
with a state's ability to use federal funds to support their chosen 
method of teacher certification or testing.
  Federal control of teacher certification will inevitably lead to a 
national curriculum. National teacher certification will allow the 
federal government to determine what would-be teachers need to know in 
order to practice their chosen profession. Teacher education will 
revolve around preparing teachers to pass the national test or to 
receive a national certificate. New teachers will then base their 
lesson plans on what they needed to know in order to receive their 
Education Department-approved teaching ceirtificate. Therefore, I call 
on those of my colleagues who oppose a national curriculum to join me 
in opposing national teacher testing and certification.
  Many educators are voicing opposition to national teacher 
certification and testing. The Coalition of Independent Education 
Associations (CIEA), which represents the majority of the over 300,000 
teachers who are members of independent educators associations, has 
passed a resolution opposing the nationalization of teacher 
certification and testing. As more and more teachers realize the impact 
of this proposal, I expect opposition from the education community to 
grow. Teachers want to be treated as professionals, not as minions of 
the federal government.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to join 
me in opposing national teacher certification or national teacher 
testing. Training and certification of classroom teachers is the job of 
state governments, local school districts, educators, and parents; this 
vital function should not be usurped by federal bureaucrats and/or 
politicians. Please stand up for America's teachers and students by 
signing on as a cosponsor of my legislation to ensure taxpayer dollars 
do not support national teacher certification or national teacher 
testing.

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