Education Insider

SPECIAL ALERT from NEA

Tell Congress: SLOW DOWN and Take the Time to Get ESEA Reauthorization Right!

The House of Representatives is moving forward with very troubling legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind. The draft under discussion:

*Continues to measure school success overwhelmingly on just two (reading and math) low-quality statewide standardized tests;

*Fails to take into account adequately the unique needs of English Language Learners and students with disabilities for educationally appropriate assessments;

*Ignores the critical issues of class size reduction, access to quality early childhood education, and adequate resources for school facilities and materials;

*Contains pay for performance plans that link standardized test scores to teacher pay without the agreement of impacted teachers;

*Eliminates the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) through which teachers can demonstrate that they are "highly qualified;" and

*Imposes many additional mandates and requirements on schools without any guarantee of additional funding.

Instead of rushing to pass legislation that will offer more bureaucracy, more mandates, and less help for students and educators, Congress should take the time to craft a bill that will truly help ensure great public schools for every child!

Send a Message to Congress Today!

Tell your Representative in Congress that you do not support the ESEA reauthorization draft currently under discussion. Urge Congress to take the time necessary to get ESEA reauthorization right! A copy of your message also will be sent automatically to House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller.