Federal Legislative Update
October 2007
October 5, 2007
October 12, 2007
October 19, 2007
10/19/07
News from Capitol Hill...
Maryland Congressman Stands Up For Public Schools
Representative Albert Wynn (D-MD) has taken a bold stand in support of children and public education. In a letter to House Education Committee Chairman George Miller, Wynn outlined his strong concerns about draft legislation under consideration to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind. The Wynn letter raised concerns about the draft's continued heavy reliance on standardized test results, failure to address class size reduction and dropout prevention, and links between teacher pay and test scores. While the current law is flawed, Congressman Wynn told Chairman Miller that the path Congress is taking now "will only exacerbate those flaws rather than correct them."
If you would like to thank Congressman Wynn for standing up for what is right, visit his website to send him an e-mail.
Keep the Pressure on Congress to Slow Down, Take the Time to Get ESEA Reauthorization Right
NEA cyberlobbyists are doing a great job in getting the message to Capitol Hill. If you have not already done so, e-mail your Member of Congress today. Tell Congress that any ESEA reauthorization bill must:
Continue to Urge Senators to Cosponsor Bills on Common-Sense Assessment Systems
Two critical bills have been introduced in the Senate that would make a real difference in improving assessment systems and offering meaningful accountability. In recent weeks, we have asked you to urge Senators to sign on as co-sponsors to the Improving Student Testing Act of 2007 (S. 2053), sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold (WI) and Patrick Leahy (VT). Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Ken Salazar (D-CO) have also introduced the No Child Left Behind Reform Act (S. 1194). Both bills would make significant, meaningful changes to measurement of student performance and school success, including by allowing states to use growth models and multiple measures and ending the over-reliance upon two standardized tests given one day out of the year.
Both bills have NEA's support, but they need the additional sponsorship of your Senators.
Contact Your Senators Today
Tell your Senators to cosponsor the Improving Student Testing Act and the No Child Left Behind Reform Act.
10/12/07
News from Capitol Hill...
Keep the Pressure on Congress to Slow Down, Take the Time to Get ESEA Reauthorization Right
NEA cyberlobbyists have made their voices heard on Capitol Hill. Now, we need to keep up the pressure. Make sure Congress knows that any ESEA reauthorization bill must:
- Reduce emphasis on standardized tests,
- Provide a common-sense accountability system that looks at the full picture of student and school achievement and takes into account the unique needs of individual students,
- Help reduce class sizes and modernize school facilities, and
Reject any effort to tie teacher pay to test scores.
Contact Your Members of Congress Today
Remind your Representatives in Congress about these important principles for ESEA reauthorization.
10/05/07
News from Capitol Hill...
Remind Congress of NEA’s Core Principles on Educator Pay
October is shaping up to be a critical month in the reauthorization of ESEA, and communications from you to your Members of Congress will play a decisive role. Tell Congress to take the time to get the bill right for children and public education!
Congress is considering linking educator pay to student test scores as part of the reauthorization, which NEA strongly opposes.
Tell your Members of Congress that we will not compromise on these core principles:
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