House Approves No Child Left Behind Bill

“I am disappointed that House Republicans advanced a flawed and partisan reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that disinvests in America’s public schools”. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Murray.

If the Senate passes its version, Kline and Senate leaders will likely go to conference to come up with an alternative that may be more palatable to House Democrats – most of whom rejected it because of funding cuts to schools and too much flexibility for states on accountability. No Democrats voted for the measure, which would significantly reduce the role of the federal government in setting education policy and allow federal funding to “follow” low-income students to other schools. Leadership pulled the education bill from the House floor in February, on the same day legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security collapsed, due to a lack of votes. We heard from Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Monday. As for the House bill, he said the legislation was “a major step backwards for our nation and its children” and appealed to Republicans to strike a more bipartisan chord.

The White House has also urged additional revisions on school accountability. The vote was 45-52, short of a majority and 15 shy of the 60 required. “The bill eliminates the one-size-fits-all provisions of No Child Left Behind that have been so damaging for schools and districts”. Lamar Alexander (R) of Tennessee.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who co-sponsored the bill, countered that the change would “retreat on our fundamental commitment to make sure that every child has access to a quality education”.

Blunt said he is working on an amendment to allow states to “opt out of federal control areas and still qualify for some of the federal assistance that’s available to states”. That amendment failed 195-235, as 49 Republicans aligned with Democrats to defeat it.

The Senate bill does address what many see as over-testing in schools.

“By focusing on results and creating incentives for programs that are successful, cost-effective, and make a real difference, we can help students accelerate their learning”, the pair wrote.

“I’m very concerned that we might overcorrect”, says Chad Aldeman, an associate partner at Bellwether Education Partners, a think tank and education advising nonprofit.

No Child Left Behind, which expired in 2007, mandated annual testing in reading and math for students in grades three through eight and again in high school.

“The Governor and legislators across the Commonwealth must find common ground and must work together to craft a mindful budget that supports the resources necessary to close the achievement gap for all Pennsylvania students and ensures that our most needy schools not only receive more equitable funding, but also increased attention targeted at solving their unique challenges”. And to do that, there are these annual tests in reading and math. Critics say it’s trouble.

In 2012, the Obama administration began granting states waivers from meeting some of the requirements of the law after it began clear they would not be met. Forty-two states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have been granted waivers.

Stay on topic – This helps keep the thread focused on the discussion at hand. Alexander said. “I look forward to that same level of discussion on the Senate floor”.