Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization

It has been more than ten years since the passage of No Child Left Behind, the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This law ensures that all children have an equal access to a quality education no matter their background. However, there is broad agreement that the law is now outdated and is restraining schools from making the kinds of improvements needed to benefit students, communities and the economy. 

Rewriting the outdated No Child Left Behind law will only happen through bipartisan consensus that serves the interests of all the nation’s children. Unfortunately, Education Committee Republicans have put forth highly partisan legislation that does not live up to our nation’s commitment to all of our children. This move likely means that the rewrite of the law won’t happen this year and millions of schoolchildren will have to remain under the current broken system.

Five decades after Brown v. Board of Education, there is still work to be done to ensure that all children have access to world-class educational opportunities. Democrats on the committee are committed to ensure that the rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act lives up to our nation’s commitment to all of our children, regardless of their background or the zip code they may live.

Democratic Principles for the Reauthorization of ESEA.

Summary of Democratic Substitute to Republican legislation and Text of Substitute

Key Problems with the Republican bill

Statements of Opposition to the Republican bill

Organizations expressing opposition and concerns about the GOP's legislation.

Organizations expressing support for the Democratic amendments to the Republican legislation.

"What Parents Won't Know if the 'Student Success Act' Passes"

Committee Democratic Views on H.R. 5