I don't think that's their point. Their point (although I don't really agree with it) is that the money spent at the federal level by the Dept. of Ed. wastefully duplicates things already done by the states. It adds a layer of bureaucracy that bogs down teachers and does not actually improve education.

I've seen enough differences state-to-state, especially with regard to textbook issues in the South, that I think some form of federal standards are a good idea. But it's reasonable to debate the size and power of the Dept. of Ed.

At the end of the day, you need three things to really improve education.

1. Commitment from the families of the kids to make it a priority.

2. Time for families to help kids with homework (if that means one of the breadwinners gets off the "wheel" at work for awhile, so be it).

3. Principals have to have the ability to fire underperforming teachers for cause at any point in their career. Tenure below the university level is ridiculous.