(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (PA-4), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, discussed the future of the No Child Left Behind law with local stakeholders during a tele-town hall this evening.  As Congressman Altmire prepares for the committee mark-up of this important education bill, approximately 200 school officials, educators and parents from western Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District participated in the call to weigh in on the upcoming reauthorization of No Child Left Behind and its proposed changes. 

"No Child Left Behind is one of the most important initiatives Congress will look at this year," said Congressman Altmire.  "I've spent the past nine months traveling around the district visiting schools and talking with teachers, parents and administrators about its reauthorization.  I hosted this town hall tonight to continue to hear from my constituents about the direction Congress should take as we finally begin the committee mark-up process and as we move forward to reauthorize No Child Left Behind this fall." 

During the tele-town hall, Congressman Altmire outlined nine major features that will likely be part of the No Child Left Behind legislation: 

• Allowing states to use growth models that recognize progress over time; 
• Allowing states to use more than test scores to measure student learning and school performance; 
• Improving test quality; 
• Directing appropriate and flexible interventions to schools that need the most assistance; 
• Addressing the high school dropout crisis and take comprehensive steps to turn around low-performing high schools;  
• Making necessary changes to assessments and accountability so that the law works better for English Language Learners (ELLs); 
• Modifying the assessment and accountability systems so that the academic progress of students with disabilities can be accurately measured and reported; 
• Building and elevating the teaching profession by providing teachers and principals with the support they need to succeed, including higher salaries, career ladders, and mentoring; and
• Increasing funding so that all schools have the resources they need to help all children succeed.    

"Schools have been short-changed since No Child Left Behind was signed into law in 2002," said Congressman Altmire.  "It would have taken $56 billion to fully implement the law, but that money has not been appropriated. We can't make up that shortfall overnight, but there is a commitment on both sides of the aisle to move forward in a way that provides the funding necessary to help schools succeed."