DeSaulnier measures included in landmark federal education bill
Washington, DC – On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, four amendments authored by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) were successfully passed as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (S. 1177). This landmark bill overhauls the education law known as “No Child Left Behind (NCLB).”
“The Every Student Succeeds Act improves national education standards to ensure that all students receive a quality education. This important legislation prioritizes the academic progress of students with disabilities, low-income students, and English learners, regardless of race, gender or geography,” said DeSaulnier.
The following initiatives championed by the Congressman were included in the final bill:
-Measures to streamline Head Start programs and ensure maximum cooperation with local schools.
-Ability for schools to allocate resources to educate students and teachers on the dangers and effects of concussions; and
-Strengthens students’ access to support and “wraparound” services like tutoring, counseling, and other extracurricular activities.
“I am proud to have successfully included measures to protect students both in and out of the classroom by streamlining Head Start programs, protecting student athletes from concussions, and providing students with academic and extracurricular support beyond the normal school day. This bill also allows California to continue its new budgeting formula that provides more control and flexibility to schools and communities,” said DeSaulnier.
“I applaud the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act and thank U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier for his leadership on the Education and Workforce committee in passing the legislation,” said State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson. “I’m pleased the legislation follows California’s lead by emphasizing local control, discouraging unnecessary and wasteful testing, and allowing accountability systems that emphasize multiple measures of success, rather than relying so heavily on one test.”
“The re-authorization of NCLB has languished for too long in the Congress and has kept many important improvements from being made to the law,” said former Congressman George Miller. “I want to commend Congressman Mark DeSaulnier for all of his hard work that has resulted in finally getting a vote on this bipartisan reform bill. The Every Student Succeeds Act provides, most importantly, that schools and states will be accountable for making sure that all children have the opportunity to learn and succeed in their education, and it transfers responsibility to local districts and states for school improvement.”
“We are very grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for prioritizing support for measures that have proven to make an enormous difference in educational outcomes for students in California and all around the country,” said Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth. “We know from decades of research and experience that after school and summer programs are critical to closing the opportunity and achievement gaps, and this investment needs to be protected and grown. We are also excited to see support for families in their children’s learning and engagement in school in this effort. To do this work well, schools need resources to apply best practices such as strong teacher-family collaboration, parent leadership opportunities, and access to support services that enable students to show up to school every day ready to learn.”
The Every Student Succeeds Act passed the House of Representatives 359-64 and now moves to the Senate for consideration. President Obama is expected to sign it into law in the coming weeks.
DeSaulnier is the only Bay Area Member on the House Education & the Workforce Committee. He represents a portion of Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives.
