Rep. Mark Takano Releases Statement on House Passage of ESEA Reauthorization
Washington DC –Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
“As a former public school teacher of 24 years, I am gratified the House has passed an ESEA reauthorization bill that presses the reset button on our education system.
“While well intentioned, No Child Left Behind created a punitive approach to education policy that punishes underperforming schools instead of helping them improve. Its rigid, test-driven method of accountability, combined with burdensome intervention from the federal government, has failed to close the achievement gaps in our country.
“The reauthorization bill replaces our ‘Test and Punish’ system with a more flexible ‘Test and Reveal’ approach that returns authority over accountability standards to states and school districts. It also increases overall education funding and ensures at-risk students are receiving the support they need.
“I wouldn’t give this bill an A-plus, but it is a solid bipartisan compromise and an overdue replacement for a status quo that is harming students and frustrating teachers.
“For that, the reauthorization deserves a passing grade.”