April 30, 2010 - The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is soliciting comments from educators and the public on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as "No Child Left Behind".  In mid-April, Senators Tom Harkin (D/IA) and Mike Enzi (R/WY), Chairman and Ranking Minority Member (respectively) of the HELP Committee, sent an invitation seeking input to various national education associations that is now extended to state agencies, state associations, and individuals.

 

The Obama Administration released its Blueprint for Reform to revise the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on March 13.  The plan provides incentives for states to adopt academic standards that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace; creates accountability systems that measure student growth toward meeting the goal that all children graduate and succeed in college; and emphasizes local control and flexibility. 

 

The House and Senate announced the beginning of intensive work to update NCLB in March.  While most stakeholders express doubt that ESEA will be reauthorized this year, the Education committees of both chambers have been moving forward to mark-up draft bills, which is the first step in the process toward enacting revised legislation.  Following a full committee hearing on ESEA reauthorization on April 15, CQ Today reported a statement from Senator Harkin that he intends to get the bill "through his committee no later than June".  Representative George Miller (D/CA), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, has reportedly referenced a joint House/Senate goal to complete committee work before the August break.  

 

The Blueprint can be viewed on the Department of Education's website.  Comments on current law or the Obama Administration's plan should be e-mailed to <ESEAcomments@help.senate.gov> by Friday, May 7th.