[Congressman Pete Stark: Education Policy Position]{.underline}

[June 2007]{.underline}

The House Education and Labor Committee has held 12 hearings concerning
reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and has begun to
develop legislation. As a strong supporter of public education, I
believe in the promise that was made to our children 5 years ago in the
original NCLB law. NCLB promised that all children, regardless of their
background or disability, would have the opportunity to learn and
achieve at a high level while being taught by a highly qualified
teacher. We are still a long way from that goal, but it is worth
striving for and reaching.

In large measure, the effectiveness of the original NCLB law is
inconclusive due to persistent under-funding by the Bush Administration
and inconsistent implementation by the Department of Education. States
have been shorted well over \$50 billion in promised educational aid. In
his FY 2008 budget, the President proposes to under-fund NCLB by \$15
billion. This is money that should be spent on professional development
for teachers, reducing student-teacher ratios, and providing assistance
to struggling students.

Despite significant funding shortfalls, a recent non-partisan study
shows the achievement gap between white a black students has closed
since 2002. To continue this progress several aspects of NCLB should be
maintained. First, I believe it is essential to maintain the focus on
closing the achievement gap for poor and minority students and students
with disabilities. The accountability standards contained in NCLB have
shined a light on various groups of students who have historically
slipped through the cracks. By bringing these groups into the open we
can focus our resources and start to close the achievement gap. Second,
I believe that the testing and accountability provisions of NCLB are
essential and should not be fundamentally altered. States should be
allowed to make tests accessible to different groups of students by
making accommodations, not by watering down the test or lowering
standards.

There are areas where NCLB needs to be improved. The House Education and
Labor Committee has identified 9 areas as key for strengthening the law.

-   Allow states to use growth models that recognize progress over time.

-   Allow states to include measures such as graduation rates and real
    time classroom tests in addition to standardized tests.

-   Improve test quality and reliability by assisting states in
    developing better tests.

-   Direct appropriate and flexible interventions to schools that need
    the most assistance.

-   Address the high school dropout crisis and take comprehensive steps
    to turn around low-performing schools.

-   Ensure that all states develop appropriate academic assessments for
    English Language Learners.

-   Modify the assessment system for students with disabilities to make
    it more compatible with IDEA and students' Individual Education
    Plans.

-   Elevate the teaching profession and support teachers and principals
    with the supports they need to succeed, including higher salaries,
    mentoring, career ladders, professional development, and performance
    pay.

-   Increase funding to the level needed for schools to meet the goals
    set by NCLB.

Although it is at the center of the education debate right now, I view
NCLB as just one piece of a larger education puzzle that our society has
to put together. We must significantly increase our investment in early
childhood education. Scientific research shows that 90% of brain
development occurs by age 5. In addition, many of the achievement gaps
that exist between wealthy and poor students are already in place when
those children enter elementary school. Programs such as Head Start can
close this gap and I am pleased that this Congress is reauthorizing and
expanding Head Start. We should guarantee that all infants and toddlers
get quality care and education.

There is much work to be done. In April, a report to the California
State University Trustees found that 45% of freshmen require remedial
English and 37% need remedial math. These are statistics that should
give us pause, particularly when our students will leave school and find
themselves in a global economy competing with workers all over the
world. We can improve our education system and we can do it without
resorting to vouchers and privatization. That is the challenge before us
and one I look forward to working on with the many committed educators
and legislators around the state and around the country.