NSTA Legislative Update
August 13, 2007

Table of Contents

• Update on No Child Left Behind
• Representative Ehlers Introduces Bill to Strengthen the Department of Education Math and Science Partnerships

Miller also noted, however, that he and Members of the Education and Labor Committee have heard very loudly and clearly that changes are needed to fix the unintended consequences of the law, help more students reach proficiency in math and reading, and close the achievement gap. According to Miller, the statute didn’t get it all right, and currently the law is “not fair, not flexible, and not funded.” To that end, Miller highlighted six features on which the Committee will focus during reauthorization. These are fairness and flexibility for schools, a rich and challenging curriculum, support for teachers and principals, school accountability, steps to turn around low-performing middle and high schools, and greater investments to achieve the law's goals.

In terms of specifics, the Chairman stressed his desire to provide schools with more fairness and flexibility in measuring students’ growth and guard against a narrowing of the curriculum. He expressed his belief that, while schools need to remain accountable to all students, the new bill should allow for multiple assessment measures and include a growth model that builds upon the program currently being piloted by the U.S. Department of Education.

Second, a rich and challenging learning environment for all students that includes a rigorous curriculum preparing students for postsecondary education and the 21st century global workforce is critical. Miller talked about providing states with incentives to work with the corporate and higher education sectors to develop curricula that meet these challenges.

Third, more support for teachers and principals is needed to ensure quality and help close the achievement gap. Miller stressed the importance of school leadership. Support will be provided to help LEAs train, hire, and retain more teachers with the goal of building a larger cadre of highly qualified teacher professionals. He also stated that performance pay options based on fairness and effectiveness, as well as career ladders and mentoring options, would be included in the bill. When asked a follow-up question by a reporter regarding the details of this option, Miller emphasized that while he supported some portion of performance pay being tied to student achievement, he also supports all collective bargaining agreements. He further stated that while performance pay models for teachers would not spread nationwide overnight, many successful ones have been initiated. Miller believes these models reflect what is needed to attract the next generation of teachers. Like all other professionals, they need to be rewarded for extra efforts put forth that produce superior results. They also want options such as career ladders, extensive professional development, and compensation for their expertise and dedication.

Fourth, schools must remain accountable for students’ progress, including that of minority and low-income students, students learning English, and those with disabilities. Under current law, schools whose students have not made adequate yearly progress are all treated the same in terms of interventions, sanctions, and timing. Miller stated that “We need to distinguish among different schools and the challenges facing them, as well as their needs for addressing those challenges.” Therefore, support needs to be provided to schools in most need of help.

Fifth, steps to turn around low-performing middle and high schools will be included in the new legislation. Addressing the nation’s drop-out rate is imperative, and comprehensive steps to address the most troubled, lowest-performing high schools is critical for overall student success. Miller also stated that the bill will include uniform standards for measuring graduation rates that are fair, accurate, reliable, and will do more to keep students in school.

And finally, greater and sustained investments to achieve the law's goals will be needed. Miller pointed out that the new Democratic Congress has begun this effort – first with the continuing resolution for FY 2007, and then in the FY 2008 appropriations bill, the Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda, and the College Cost Reduction Act. If the Chairman had it his way, he would support a “supplemental spending measure” just focused on increased investment in education to make up for the past five years of reduced spending levels.

Miller stressed his intention to pass a bill in September, both in Committee and on the House floor. He reminded the audience that the bill will reflect the input of Members from both parties and the testimony from nearly two dozen Congressional hearings. Miller also stated that in addition to communicating with Secretary Spellings and her staff that “Congressman McKeon and I have been working together on this reauthorization for many months. He has been very helpful to this process.” Interestingly, Ranking Member McKeon issued a statement immediately following Miller’s speech that stated, “Republicans began laying the foundation for NCLB’s reauthorization more than a year ago by kicking off a slate of bipartisan hearings on topics most important to the law’s future. More than halfway through 2007, I am disappointed with the pace of negotiations and hopeful that we can reach an agreement soon.”

At the conclusion of Miller’s remarks, many thoughtful questions were asked about multiple assessment measures, the timetable, performance pay, the cost of the bill, and better assessments for limited English–proficient students. In response to a question about school choice, Miller said the issue was still under “considerable discussion” but that he certainly supported the Department’s allowance of schools opting for supplemental education services (SES) before choice. The most important question, according to Miller, is what is this investment in SES really buying for students and schools?

Click here to read the speech in its entirety. View Representative McKeon’s response here.

Representative Vernon Ehlers introduced the Improving Math and Science Teacher Quality Act, a bill to strengthen the Math and Science Partnerships program. Read more in the attached fact sheet distributed by his office.

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For more information, please contact jpeterson@nsta.org.