In a recent address to hundreds of educators, Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) called on the Senate to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and said reforms are needed to the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which was signed into law in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, authorized federally funded educational programs that are administered through states. The measure also established accountability standards.
Dent told 300 educators at the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s biennial political institute meeting that the last reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act came in 2002 with President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act.
“It is undeniable now, after 12 years, that reform of No Child Left Behind is necessary,” Dent said.
A recent Harvard study found that American students ranked 25th in the world in math, 17th in science and 14th in reading.
The House of Representatives, Dent noted, took a step forward in July with passage of the Student Success Act.
“In general, the bill restores state and local control over the education of our children, which ultimately, I believe, empowers parents and (educators),” Dent said.
The bill, Dent added, is not perfect but contains a number of positive reforms.
“In my family’s experience, when it comes to our children’s educations, it always boils down to the triangle of educator, student and parents,” Dent said. “The more we can do to strengthen that nucleus, the better.”