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Bill to Reauthorize Education Act Approved by Senate Committee

On October 20, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved, 15-7, a bill (as-yet-unnumbered) to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (P.L. 107-110).

Sponsored by Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA), the bill would authorize “such sums as may be necessary” through FY2016 for various education programs, including Title I grants to local education agencies for improving education for low-income students; programs for neglected and delinquent children; a new literacy program; and a new science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program. Funding for President Obama’s Race to the Top program, 21st Century Learning Centers, and the Promise Neighborhood program also would be provided.

In order to receive federal funds, the measure would require state education agencies to adopt and implement college- and career-ready and science statewide standards by the beginning of the 2015 academic year. Such standards must align with coursework at public colleges, career and technical standards, and appropriate career skills. States also would be allowed to adopt content and student achievement standards in other subjects.

States also would be permitted to develop alternative achievement standards in any subject for students with disabilities.

The bill would authorize “such sums as may be necessary” for FY2012-2018 for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77) to revise the requirements for educating homeless children and youth.

During consideration of the bill, the committee adopted an amendment by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to allow states to establish alternative school improvement strategies, approved by the secretary of Education, 15-7.

The committee rejected:

  • An amendment by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) to repeal No Child Left Behind and implement federal education laws as if NCLB had never been enacted, 3-17;
  • An amendment by Sen. Paul to make the bill’s mandates voluntary, 1-20;
  • An amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to ensure that teachers who have not completed their preparation or received their state certification are mentored by teachers with the proper credentials, 3-18; and
  • An amendment by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to modify academic achievement standards for students with disabilities, 8-14.