Good-bye adequate yearly progress

In a 15–7 vote, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee voted to amend and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly known as No Child Left Behind).   The language reflects a bipartisan effort drafted by Chairman Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking Member Enzi (R-Wyoming). Over the past two days, the amended language and 150 amendments were considered in a hearing. 

The provisions of the bill include language that:

• Establishes college and career academic content standards in Reading /Language Arts and Math with the option to add other content.
• Alignment of English Language Proficiency Standards with academic content standards.
• Alignment of academic content standards, without the need for academic coursework, at public institutions of higher education in the state and is relevant with state technical and career standards.
• Establishes tracks to determine how well students are mastering the material in the academic content areas.
• Alignment of the state assessment instrument with the academic content standards.
• Provides the option of including a student growth model.
• Tracks students from 8th to 9th grade to better identify those who are at-risk of dropping out.
• Requires the identification of Achievement Gaps Schools, Persistently Low-Achieving Schools, and Targeted

Low-Achieving Schools

NEA staff and state affiliate staff reviewed amendments to identify possible impacts on the states.

NEA was successful in inserting language that:

• Provides for a collaborative transformation model for turn-around schools

NEA was successful in removing language that would have

• linked Teacher and Principal evaluations to student performance; however, this is a mandate IF the state applies for a grant through the Teacher Incentive Fund; and
• given districts the authority to make forced transfers of teachers to low-performing, high-need schools as a means to ensure equity in the placement of highly-qualified teachers.

The bill now moves to the full Senate.  The vote is not expected to happen before November 8 out of respect for an agreement struck between Sens. Harkin (D-Iowa), Enzi (R-Wyoming), and Paul (R-Kentucky).

We need your involvement and engagement NOW.  Visit http://www.capwiz.com/nea/issues/alert/?alertid=54126461&type=CO and sign up to receive the NEA Legislative Alerts.  Your voices need to be heard as the Senate considers ESEA 2011.