battlefield but much more interested in the people that serve in that capacity. probably my favorite book of the summer has been hamilton. i've decided that he's a great author and i'm going to look for his books to continue to read and i know i have several of them that i haven't read and i'm now interested in doing so. this caught my attention because of the musical, the musical hamilton is based upon this book and i happen to see it sitting in a bookstore and i was interested to see what caught today's audience based on the life of alexander hamilton, our first treasury secretaries. this is probably the one i enjoyed the most, unfortunately it's the longest and it often turns out to be that way. i'm always complaining that the thickest books turn out to be the butt vest.

book tv wants to know what you're reading this summer. tweet us your answer or posted on our facebook page, facebook.com/book tv. >> :

>> >> thanks to everyone for being here today and on line as well. lyrics cited to welcome you to the heritage today to discuss the interesting new book on the failures of federal intervention. she doesn't mince words that all with the federal this education of america's children it is time to end not meant federal intervention. as she explains in her book the federal government must serve out the 100 years to recognize it was the states and localities.

but gradually federal restraints gave away and by 1979 we saw the first cabinet level for education established at the u.s. department of education. today that agency houses nearly 5,000 employees 150 education programs and a discretionary budget of $70 billion. that is the tip of the iceberg because we see this relationship with the state education and ended -- agencies as well that have to follow these mandates so they have increased their staffing as well. blood have we gotten for this federal largess? it isn't improved educational outcomes but red tape and bureaucracy and wasteful spending.

the u.s. has increasingly centralized education policy to increased spending and programs their efforts such as common core. it is interesting to note other high performing countries have been decentralizing said decisionmaking authority to empower families to foster competition. is there a better path for the u.s.? can we embrace decentralization competition we have the major opportunity to advance education choice as a major step to using federal intervention and in general

it is a state and local issue. a research fellow at the independent institute in a senior fellow and director of the women for school tories project. prior to and that she was associate director from the initiative. the ph.d. of political philosophy for philosophic studies at university of dallas. please join me to welcome dr. elders here. [applause] >> good afternoon. i would like to thank quincy and andrew for putting this yvette together. and thanks for coming to talk about this very important topic that touches

every one of our lives. and also for opening a discussion on my new book the department of education's failures. to recall the words of a former democratic member of congress from illinois who was the former teacher in lawyer it will lead be a peer fountain that can be poured upon the states to control that the conflicting systems kiddie harmonized and i take the high ground that every child is entitled to an education at the hands of somebody in this ought not be left to individuals or the states so far as we

have any authority to regulate it. sound familiar? this argument was made by representatives multan from illinois 150 years ago. wed year before the u.s. department of education was originally created in 1867. as my title suggests they have a different view of the d.c. stream pouring on my home state of arizona which is why we hailed one of the national leaders of school choice. we have people from arizona in the audience. are we better off because of it? frankly i don't think we are and based on increasing calls for the department's

abolishment during this election cycle many people feel it is time to pull the plug. but what does that really mean? they're not like fine wine. history teaches us that bureaucracies are resilient it is defended from one federal agency from much of the 19th and 20th centuries. rather than abolishing it we decided to keep it around to promote and excellence agenda. common core. recalling the department of education was to improve student achievement, a

supplement and not supplant local government and number three improved management and the efficiency at the federal education program. how did those promises turnout? improved student achievement across subjects and grade levels as well as various international tasks have been essentially flat during that period preceding the department of education through today. from the empirical track record and we're spending of two 1/3 more of top performing countries in the world. it was also supposed to supplement and not supplant local and state governments our founding fathers never intended for the federal government to be a partner

much less the boss. it doesn't even appear in the constitution it has been a bad deal for taxpayers during the new child left behind 2002 through 2009 the paperwork increased by an estimated 65% and larger than the burden from the department of defense and energy and justice to name a few. the administrative burden is so great that they are hired just to deal with federal education programs. today in a common core era spending is estimated to be $80 billion according to a former u.s. department of education official the 4.4

billion raced to the top to incentivize state reforms. to include management of federal education programs has after a full 30 years of operation and the government accountability office found the education department was one of one dozen agencies operating nearly 300 education and training programs then gao also found eight different offices with a teacher quality programs. how are these performing? according to the omb just 6%

of department of education programs are deemed effective. how can that be? the program spending increasing by $57 billion. despite those spending increases and it has not achieved a the efficiencies there or reduce paperwork or manage the federal programs. to funnel more money is going to improve education in united states. to reject the commonplace

notion to have traditional even them getting great results. into incentivize the state's with the promises of more flexibility. including the department of education noblesse. with a constitutional federalism their best situated to hold state lawmakers accountable that actually works. and as we see today the u.s. department of education is a hindrance and an obstacle

that the parents want to which the children are succeeding. parents are concerned about the common core test in opting out in droves. does this look familiar to anyone? that is a letter sent out late december from the u.s. department of education i call it a happy nasty gram. as a result using their god-given and punt alienable rights to choose the education of their children they decide to opt out of common core test. in return? we get a letter from the u.s. department of education center in tips to the state chief have to threaten schools and students.

essentials the this letter is threatening to withhold our money for our students and our schools unless we total line. there is a word for this type of relationship and it is in partnership. it is time to end federal control to the u.s. department of education. as it was established in each time these efforts fail because neither truly sought to abolish the department of education of what we call of department restoring constitutional authority

requires but the half measures would prevent the department of education from operating as a pass through all of the expense of children and taxpayers is a reasonable person and i take three. the first is the d.c. opportunities scholarship program. is the name suggests it is on a constitutional basis. there is no reason had u.s. department of education involved in the scholarship program this is one of the

few programs deemed defective by the department's own what works division and it is privately managed and number two post secondary education for veterans to present -- dependents they are in earned benefit and finally the office for civil rights of justice it does perform constitutionally sanctioned worked so there won't support any finding and woodsy u.s. department of education programs. so i will not go through the remaining hundred and 20 programs through 29 offices

but here is an overview to eliminate the department of education through what i call strategic dismantling. strictly speaking strategic dismantling does eliminate a single u.s. department of education program they simply shift for the program in the management in the funding back to the states with the administrative overhead that would be 14. $1 billion that were returned to taxpayers in the form of a tax rebate along with an estimated $275 million to be restored to the state thursday education agencies.

taxpayers would no longer fund the program to the federal government that would instead pay for them and tell the programs preexisting expiration date. they previously administered by the u.s. department of education would depend on taxpayers as things stand now under the relationship federal funding last between one in five years depending on the program. so the schools are already experiencing uncertainty by relying on federal funding.

and we are subjected to the agenda is and mandates that have expensive replacement of the previous administration's program of the current administration. but made it education programs is returned to the state's. law makers and taxpayers and parents and educators can work more closely together at the local level customized to meeting the specific needs of students in communities across the state. of federal leadership of education. now is the time to read it once and for all. now we have examples in the

state that education program says services for students and families and taxpayers. 61 programs in 30 states with the district of columbia and 26 voucher programs, 21 tax credits scholarship programs, nine individual tax credit and reduction programs and five educational savings account programs and together they are helping more than 1 million school children and families. not to mention all those of districts in charter and home and online schools through parents' choice. citizens and this states did.

have but we should be spending. warda n30 years of the creation of u.s. department of education with that barrier to progress with the state government it is time to dissolve that partnership and once and for all. fate you very much. [applause]>> what tsa teetoo soe

with federal intervention? and having to respond to that? >> that is the number one critique and frankly we have heard that since the progressive era. what runs through the core of our thinking is really just can trust the states who knows what the parents might do but what i found interesting leading up to what we now have is early on that is constitutional circumspection. there was such respect for the constitution jefferson and james madison for madison he tried more than anybody else en during the

constitutional convention to sell many more times while president he wanted a federal role in education so badly but he said as with others, until we amend the constitution, congress has no authority. we saw that no longer real looking at enumerated powers it is in the national interest but the lack of respect for the constitution with the disregard to rinse your question in a nutshell

we gave them a fighting chance more than 30 years and with those experts in charge what we have is no better or spending a lot more and that is the best case scenario. so i would say we can do any worse and to find these findings on more than these programs we're doing a heck of a lot better. >> we will have a microphone coming around. while we are waiting we saw some significant federal intervention this was the

etf that there is a national defense component so there was that constitutional link do you think we just left that or even try to justify? >> with a think of the national defence said education act that is clearly in the national interest of aram reminded of the words from barry goldwater who objected. first and foremost, because there is no constitutional role in 12th federal mandates that is a rounding error these days but it

really resonates with me if the good people of the states of arizona had any funding gaps we are more than capable to make up for that. that is what i asked people are you willing? be real. there is no such thing as a fatter -- federal tax dollar if we send back to washington and they come back to west. but ashley brokerage fee would be doing much better. >> please raise your hand for a question. >> i know you have done the research looking at how many extra employees or even the

local school districts can you give us an idea to compare 50,000 of the federal level 90% for more

deal strictly with federal programs. they are not advertising it would be controversial. >> i'm sorry i don't have a better answer. >> talk about the other countries. are there any that have gone that far to eliminate the

department of education? >> it is interesting to me european countries china, of how high of degrees of centralization that they are doing well so first thing they do have standards and let these countries for example, like sweden they have a voucher. do you go to montessori or

religious where do send your children? there is not pushed back from the teachers' unions we cannot possibly do that because of the union's. we don't have to look halfway across the globe were the fastest performing countries is our neighbor to the north if we don't have a centralized government out of ottawa every province is in charge of their own education but that isn't a fair comparison. and those that speak other languages than english but it is very decentralized. so what matters most is in

powering teachers the professionals that they are. the rank-and-file and politics with the parents picked their schools and teachers and let there be competition for the continuous education for a fraction of the price. >> what is the most effective? and water your ideas of how to grow to create more programs? generally with programs for some of the gate and then

florida implements. batting is great because we learn that is how you promote continuous improvement. if i would charge that was the way to go. it is interesting but that doesn't mean government knows best but that will take more than an hour if you know, education savings accounts parents you don't prefer the state deposits 90 percent of the funding it

would have said to the district your school and parents get a type of dedicated debit card and funds are disbursed quarterly and they actually have to give the expense receipt but somehow someone in bezel dollars to refinance five years later? there are five cases that i am aware of where there was a couple thousand here in there but their accounts were frozen and held accountable and had to pay a back. they are my favorite because it allows parents to choose not just where they are educated but how. that is the first date to 6:00 p.m. the programs.

but to also get a tutor or practice test were ready for college that leads metadata stark contrast with the of homogenization that becomes a college savings account so i would save you see the success of one state is harder to say the sky will fall and then to learn from each other and instead of coming from the top down. >> we have voucher programs at the higher level and then

at the retail level. i very rarely hear anybody say i don't know about the pell grant. so why is there a disconnect how we finance higher education that is affordable but as a student you can go where you want? in how we finance cater 12 and to do some sort of public for pre-k form of a voucher model y that disconnect? >> it is a great question. i love 2.0 in any given day and then to say i faked a

pass to do with the of politics here in the history of higher education that had such a flourishing landscape. and private institutions of higher education in there is a natural development there really was no political special interest groups around that. the case through 12 now we see that creep into the upper ak with the politics as opposed to the diverse educational landscape we have to put that throughout the country as part of the constitution would have to have common schools. so you have to have that

diversity on the one hand and that has been a challenge for different histories and regard. >> you talk about the durations i don't know the statistics today have a legislative end to the? >> that is a great question. and i give a blow by blow one all the programs but a few are talking the pell grant, or multi-year research improvement grants, they can run a river between two and five years. that depends on the program and how would is

appropriated. so there is some variants but there is no reason why this states could take over the management of the programs their raises the states couldn't do it with the exacting detail. >> so you mentioned in the states could take over education funding so what about the funding share? of those spending increases that is a relatively small share so does that factor

how you think we restore state and local control? >> you would think all of the mandates that is piled high we would get at least the third for the national education association for one-third of the funding to be federal funding but in reality it is 10% less than any given year. we really have become addictive so it is only 10 percent as ec the very heavy-handed mandates all the rules and guidance even with flexibility. that is the reauthorization

of the elementary and secondary education act i really wanted to believe we would get flexibility that they would follow the letter of the law but then they got the letter. so keep in mind is at best they are contributing $0.10 of every dollar. we would be spending one quarter. >> based on my research i am surprised at the other federal involvement with the department of agriculture.

one of the things that resonates with the is the cater 12 education is a just above helping them learn but a psychologist in, etc., etc.. can you talk about that? >> absolutely. when we cds we think is the that great? one-stop shopping. but it is never supposed to be that way setting yourself up for failure. >> it is so exciting. in that pesky guarantee we cannot impose that school

system in the express purpose of the compulsory systems is to make a good subjects provided social services so everybody takes care of never betty although that doesn't like a good arabia conceptually but in reality most do not need to be assigned a social worker and her what to pack in their lunches i have school-age stepson did a public school they say it is even worse than my cooking. [laughter] singh then you set yourself up for failure to you cannot do that in a free society to

basically make them creatures of the state. but just let the kids get the lunch. in to take over so frequently we just need to help this group of people. we can't really do that. that is a springboard for universal access that very quickly degenerates into a universal me at mandate and compulsory. send your child to preschool to get the programs you want to. you must send your child to

this type and he cannot leave them home with gram of because she is not certified she doesn't know what she is doing. that is what is happening. >> education in the united states was our only choice. [laughter] spirit but to have those income caps but the governor just north of you to

deliberate because you can choose any form. or for home schooling expenses. >> it is so wonderful. their education savings account program is far better than arizona is universal. you are eligible to attend a public school in nevada. you're eligible for the education savings account. has been challenged but looks like there will be positive results with the program. that is how we should be doing and. and for those who don't prefer i would say if you are a citizen when you get

the educational savings account that's it. but what i would like to see is that families save for their own education you have your own education account i don't care what type of school whether public or private we should focus less on where but if they are educated. adjusted his education in savings at every level. in if you're not happy with the results in for those that the whole score of nine schools or private school is

already the way to follow it. and we have to take back order ship we need toots' taken over but one thing that makes my blood boil that if government is said to involve then the children will get an education. every time it is ready to the most charitable people on the face of the earth with time and talent and treasures. with a hard time believing when there is a need and the child cannot afford to go to school they would rally with civic groups our faith based groups. that is have used to be before government involvement.

thanks for bringing up a data. best we can see first he and. that is a program in the direction we should be going with other states to follow. >> to get such broad discretion but could you highlight those shortcomings of those that they cannot for parents of children alike? >> to have a reauthorization in place it boils down to one thing. all the talk about

flexibility, the fact that we in the state's have to have those a plant -- approved by the secretary of education that proves that they are not friendly to parents. for in the phrase that says the state plan house to be reviewed by washington d.c. is say no go for me. [applause]

[inaudible conversations] >> booktv is the non literary culture henry will hear from the director arnold how the public library system works in michigan. >> we are currently standing and bob main floor of the library system. is located import here ron the visit to d.c. to. with the bass group of libraries and 11 branches and this branch in particular functions as the

community hub at and if there is just a hop skip june from the river in the lake and the water bridges' we have a wonderful opportunity to be in the downtown area and the government can best if we see quite a few patrons between 600 and 800 people of the day and we are fairly busy on a regular basis. this building was built in the '60s and after the library system urged with the public library. to take on the function of the public library service for the county as well as the state of port here on. moving on from the original carnegie building this was

below bit larger so we try to read as many interest as we can one of the bases about the public library system is free share resources with our branches across the state there risen patron if they don't hold that we can request an outside of the state so what we hold year is general-interest topics and entertainment reading and magazine is to have a historical collection so

that material is very interesting in one of the things we are working on is to take that material to do digitized to make that available to a broader audience. we have book clubs and are pretty traditional this the learn how to play games and those are the untraditional programs his. we have computer class's for patrons really community center and has as computer class's but the community

really loves their computed the - - community class. oh those programs with literacy they all have an element of literacy. and to do those in then in the adult program will offer an opportunity to ruth discuss the topics of import of those community event topics and that is race to the library becoming as an opportunity to create in and contribute to a community.

we are no longer looking at ourselves as a warehouse for books. and hope that people want to continue to read printed material. we want people to see is as a place where they can come and enjoy it when another and meeting new people to share any idea where you have your home and work and where you go for your entertainment to learn something new in did you come to a the library spirit that does play a role in the state of michigan. really only county department at has the

ability of the vast majority of residents. they are not autonomous bridges that we do have a wonderful teams of staff who know their communities and entertainment values the likes in in dislikes. isn't we administer the basic business of library service. that we are all one big team and we come together once a year where we do a trading and learning together to talk. what that means for the community is consistent library service across the

county. if your interested in that doesn't have that looked -- book we can get a very quickly within 24 hours from another branch in our system. is we are to have consistent policy and procedure so your excellent customer service was smeared in another branch one of the most surprising famous is that it is vibrant there is people here that enjoy the library in our exciting excited about what we do in our community so i grew up in this town i went to school here and went away to

college but brought my family back. one thing that was so important was to give back to my community it is a joy and a pleasure to be here with those agencies working together? to break down those barriers from public service. that is a huge joy from me. so we look at how library services delivered to our community today. we're looking towards our future and what library users need as well as something to educate those

who maybe don't have access to all the benefits that others may but we do honor the tradition of library service of yesterday. so while we are continuing with the audio book collections and we have streaming media. sabir introducing these things to the community end to make irrelevant for those folks.