Good-bye adequate yearly progress

Texas State Teachers Association
October 20, 2011

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.