NEA supports a number of bills that would improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB).

Senate Bills

Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Performance Act of 2007 (STEP UP Act of 2007) (S. 116), introduced by Senator Obama (D-IL), would authorize competitive demonstration grants to state educational agencies for eligible students to be summer scholars in summer learning opportunity programs primarily designed to increase the literacy and numeracy of such students. It would provide students with access to summer learning, facilitate the enrollment of students in elementary schools or youth development organizations during the summer, promote collaboration between teachers and youth development professionals in order to bridge gaps between schools and youth programs, and encourage teachers to try new techniques and mentor new colleagues.

• See if your Senator is a cosponsor of S. 116.

The Early Education Act of 2007 (S. 152), introduced by Senator Boxer (D-CA), would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to establish a program to help states expand the educational system to include at least one year of early education preceding the year a child enters kindergarten. This bill would create a program in at least ten states to provide one year of pre-k early education. The $300 million authorized under this bill would supplement federal, state, and local funds. This bill program would serve approximately 136,000 children.

• See if your Senator is a cosponsor of S. 152.