14 April 2005

Governor testifies on lifelong learning to U.S. Senate committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A changing economy will require a new commitment to lifelong learning, Governor Kathleen Sebelius testified to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Thursday morning.

The hearing was being held on lifelong learning opportunities and Governor used Kansas as an example of how jobs are changing, requiring a new approach to education and job training.

“Seventy-five years ago, most Kansas children expected to spend their lives on their families’ farms. Today, only three percent of all Kansas workers are directly involved in farming. Today’s children, and many of their parents, will have a series of jobs, not a single career with a single employer,” she said.

The changes taking place require new flexibility from workers, but that can only happen if they have opportunities for job training and education throughout their careers.

As a result, it is time to take a broader approach to education and job training, one that stretched from pre-school to college and beyond, Sebelius told the panel. One way to do that is to give states more flexibility.

“Federal education laws from pre-school through college must be changed to foster state innovation, eliminate duplication that costs taxpayers money, and improve outcomes for all students,” she said.

States and communities have different needs. Cultural differences must be taken into account, as should the needs of working families and individuals with disabilities. Finally, the literacy gaps of some workers and the language needs of others are areas of key concern, Sebelius told the committee. All of these add up to a need for more local control of education.

“What we don’t need are one-size-fits-all-programs with rigid regulations. We must recognize the differences among states and communities. Governors, working with local government, business, and labor, must have flexibility to meet our common, but distinct, needs,” the Governor testified. “And accountability is crucial, given the reliance on taxpayer funds.”

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher also appeared at the hearing, as did U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, and Kansas Senator Pat Roberts is a member of the committee.