I wanted to bring you up to speed on the discussion over the past few weeks about the House Republicans efforts to rewrite the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Act – which is known to many as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

You and I know that the American students we represent cannot endure the risk of Congress allowing states to return to old habits of low expectations and deserting children deemed too difficult or inconsequential to educate. Any reauthorization of ESEA must, at least, ensure high expectations – college or career-ready goals – and live up to our commitment that every child has access to a quality education, regardless of background or zip code.

However, I have raised serious concerns regarding the Republican’s draft proposal. And groups across the political and education spectrum – including civil rights organizations, local schools organizations, organizations who represent students with disabilities, and groups that represent low-income students and schools. Even groups like the New America Foundation have weighed in with concerns that the legislation would eliminate key measures in the law that ensure that states and school districts are accountable to students and taxpayers for their use of federal tax dollars.

Just last week, 38 groups including top civil rights organizations like the NAACP, NCLR and the ACLU, signed a letter to Chairman Kline expressed concern over the draft proposal of ESEA saying that the draft proposal will rollback current law and undermine cores values of equal opportunity in education embodied in Brown v. Board of Education. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was also among the groups voicing these concerns.

The National Education Association has also raised serious concerns about the Republican draft proposal – and we know that those who work in the classroom every day are important voices to include as we look to create effective education policy that benefits all children. The NEA noted that the proposals “do not push states enough to narrow achievement gaps; provide equal access to quality education; and ensure that state standards and assessment and accountability systems work for students.”

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is the latest organization to come out against the Committee Republicans' draft ESEA reauthorization proposals, expressing concerns with three fundamental issues that "seriously undermine the progress and academic achievement of students with disabilities, " including the lack of subgroup accountability, the rollback on teacher quality, and lifting the cap on the AA-AAS. We must maintain a commitment to the achievement of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities deserve an equal educational experience, one that allows them the ability to make academic gains and graduate high school ready to succeed in postsecondary education and employment.

These organization’s voices are crucial in drafting successful education policy. Their focus is the students, regardless of the student’s background or geography. Federal government became involved in the discussion of education to stand for student’s equality for decent education to prepare them for their futures. This should continue to be the primary reason for our involvement, any discussion on federal government’s role in education, the students need to be first.

If you want to keep up to date on the latest information about the ESEA reauthorization, follow the Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee Blog.
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GOP ESEA Draft Fiscally Irresponsible, Promotes Inequality at the Expense of Students and Federal Taxpayers: News of the Day
NEA: GOP ESEA Drafts "Fall Short" on Equity in Education for All Students
CAP: GOP ESEA drafts shortchange low-income students and schools
GOP ESEA drafts 'seriously undermine the progress and academic achievement of students with disabilities': News of the Day
Top Civil Rights, Business, Disability and Education Groups Oppose GOP ESEA Draft, Call Proposal's 'a Rollback': News of the Day
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