New Democrat Coalition Offers Constructive Fixes to Partisan, Divisive ESEA
New Democrat Coalition Members introduced a slate of amendments to improve an overwhelmingly unpopular reauthorization to the nation’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). While Members intended to oppose final passage of the bill, New Dems offering amendments explained that their efforts represented the Coalition’s drive to get serious about reforming the nation’s education system by embracing innovative approaches in the classroom and discarding old ideas that don’t work.
We need an entrepreneurial approach to encourage high-quality, proven models of success in education,” said Rep. Jared Polis, who offered several amendments to H.R. 5. “The federal government has a crucial role to play in ensuring meaningful accountability and providing cover and help for reform-minded leaders to ensure that no child is trapped in a failing school. We need to use what we have learned from No Child Left Behind to improve and strengthen the federal role, not retreat on accountability altogether and leave students and families behind.”
“As a scientist and businessman, I know firsthand the value of STEM education. If America hopes to maintain its position as the global leader in scientific and technological innovation, we must answer the call of our nation’s business leaders and employers and provide our schools with the resources needed to improve our STEM education system,” said New Dem Technology, Education, and Entrepreneurship Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11). “Employers in Illinois continue to tell me that we should do more to encourage students to pursue careers in the STEM fields.”
“The success of Northern Virginia’s and America’s economies depends on the achievement of our students. From my time as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I’ve always fought for our students and I will continue to work tirelessly for an ESEA that rewards successful and innovative approaches in the classroom while preparing our students for lifelong success,” said New Dem Technology, Education, and Entrepreneurship Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11).
New Democrat Coalition Amendments to ESEA:
- Rep. Jared Polis (CO-03) Amendment: This amendment, mirroring Obama Administration policy, would require states to set ambitious but achievable goals for all students and for subgroups of students. Schools would have to make progress towards the goal of cutting achievement gaps in half in 6 years or towards 100% proficiency, or face interventions including transformation, turnaround, restart and closure.
- Rep. Jared Polis (CO-03) Amendment: This amendment includes more flexibility for charter schools to use Charter Schools Program grants to support professional development, teacher preparation, facilities, and instructional materials. It will include an assurance that charter schools are doing substantial outreach to low-income families and that schools allow per-pupil revenue to be split across districts.
- Rep. Jared Polis (CO-03), Rep. John Delaney (MD-06), Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (PR-At Large) Amendment: This amendment will add districts and non-statewide charter authorizers as eligible entities, increase the authorization level to 330 million, and will increase the percentage of funds for expansion and replication to 20% of the overall funding.
- Rep. Jared Polis (CO-03), Rep. John Delaney (MD-06), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) Amendment: This amendment, with the bipartisan support of Rep. Susan Brooks will define computer science and insert the subject in state plans.
- Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11), Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) Amendment: This amendment would create a competitive grant program to develop STEM education programs that align with employer needs in the STEM fields and provide students with high school and college credit.
The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
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