WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) delivered the following statement on the U.S. House Floor in support of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (S.1177):

 

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  It is long overdue!  It has been nine years since the last reauthorization.   During that time, our nation’s students, their parents and teachers have implored Congress to address the flaws in No Child Left Behind. 

 

“Today, we finally have a bill that addresses many of the most difficult issues. Though not perfect, this bill is a significant improvement over No Child Left Behind. 

 

“Education is our nation’s great equalizer; education opens the doors of opportunity to all our nation’s children.  This year we commemorated the 50th anniversary of President Johnson signing the original ESEA.  50 years ago we passed ESEA as a civil rights law that affirmed the right of every child to a quality education.  It further underscored the belief that poverty should not be an obstacle to student success. 

 

“The bill before us protects Title I funding, ensures equitable allocation of resources to schools, recognizes the importance of after-school education, and maintains subgroup disaggregation of data for reporting. 

 

“Further, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program is formula-based, and distributes dollars that fill resource and opportunity gaps based on need and population. 

 

“While the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) does give states and local districts more flexibility, it does not remove the federal government from its role of protecting the civil rights of underserved students. Make no mistake, the department of Education maintains its authority to oversee implementation of the law and take action against states and districts that aren't honoring the civil rights legacy of the ESEA.

 

“It was my goal that the final bill provides equal educational opportunities for all children regardless of race, ethnicity, income, language, or disability.  I believe the ESSA achieves this goal by striking a balance in the best interest of all our nation’s students.  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”

 

Congresswoman Fudge was appointed to the conference committee for the reauthorization of the ESEA on November 17.  The Congresswoman is Ranking Member of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

 

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