Education Bill Moves To The House, Calls For Reform

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce (HCEW) has approved a new education bill, dubbed the Student Success Act (H.R.5), which puts more power in the hands of the states — directly opposing the standards set forth by No Child Left Behind.

Beginning in 2001, No Child Left Behind created new policies and annual goals for students and teachers that were met with criticism from teachers and representatives. According to a press release by the HCEW, the new bill eliminates waivers, which, until now, acted as a temporary fix for the No Child Left Behind legislation that expired in 2007.

In the release, Representative John Kline (R-MN), chairman of the HCEW, said, “The Student Success Act delivers the long-term solutions parents, teachers and education leaders want and children deserve.” Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), secondary education chairman, said the education bill will “ensure every child has an opportunity for a successful future.”

According to a HCEW fact sheet, the education bill eliminates several programs and mandates currently adhered to in schools nationwide. For example, it replaces the current federal accountability model — also known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) — with a state-mandated model, which puts performance goals back in the hands of the state. Other changes include eliminating federal requirements for select academic assessments, repealing the law that requires teachers to be “highly qualified” and allowing states to set their own “funding levels” for their schools.

For students, especially those in minority groups, the bill provides states with the flexibility to appropriate funding to programs state wide to support student achievement. HCEW says that, through their program, administrations can improve learning and performance by personalizing their guidelines on a local level.

The bill also supports “parental engagement” by encouraging parents to enroll students in magnet and charter schools. For teachers, though, the bill suggests shifting the focus from credentials to recruitment — finding talented teachers who are improving student achievement. HCEW suggests the term “Highly Qualified Teacher” is not representative of teaching ability, but rather a teacher’s tenure and resume.

For some organizations, such as the National Education Association (NEA), the bill is too flexible, removing too much of the federal government’s position in public education. Although agreeing on the elimination of AYP and the providing of alternative assessments, in a letter to the House opposing the bill, NEA has expressed skepticism that the bill allows for an appropriate role in education for the federal government.

Going forward, representatives of the bill will make their case to the House. The committee is confident in its passing, but groups such as the NEA remain concerned in the overall vision of the legislation.

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