House Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans today released the first in a series of videos that explore new draft legislative proposals to improve federal K-12 education law, known as No Child Left Behind.
In the video below, Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), a member of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, discusses the Student Success Act. The bill would revamp the outdated federal accountability system (Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP) and require states to instead develop and implement unique systems that better address the needs of local students, schools, and communities.
An accountability system developed at the state level would be better for parents, schools, and most importantly, the students. Such a system would provide more meaningful data about student and school performance. It would help states and districts target reforms where they are needed most and where they are most effective.
In addition to directing states to develop their own accountability systems, the Student Success Act will:
* Return responsibility for student achievement to states, school districts, and parents, and maintain high expectations;
* Provide states and school districts greater flexibility to meet students’ unique needs;
* Invest limited taxpayer dollars wisely;
* Strengthen programs for schools and targeted populations; and
* Maintain and strengthen long-standing protections for state and local autonomy.
The draft legislation is part of committee Republicans’ ongoing efforts to enact lasting reforms to K-12 education by improving accountability, increasing flexibility, and supporting more effective teachers in the classroom.
