For Immediate Release: July 16, 2015
Contact: Renée Rybak Lang, 703.740.4841, reneerl@nasbe.org

NASBE Supports Passage of Bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act, Urges Congress to Swiftly Convene Conference Committee

Alexandria, Va. – The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is pleased to learn that after several days of debate, the U.S. Senate today passed its Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization bill. On learning the outcome of the vote, NASBE Executive Director Kristen Amundson had this to say:

“NASBE strongly supports the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act, and our members look forward to working with Congress to further strengthen the measure in conference. The bill appropriately restores greater judgment and leadership to states, while also providing critically needed supports for strengthening state early learning systems, investing in our teachers and school leaders, and preparing all students for college, career, and civic life.

“We urge Senate and House leaders to swiftly convene a conference committee and ensure the reauthorization process is complete by year’s end. The nation’s students and their families deserve great public schools and Congress and the administration must not further delay this important work to support them.”

NASBE recently joined 10 national education groups in urging the passage of a bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act. The NASBE Government Affairs Committee also issued recommendations for ESEA reauthorization that would support and cultivate state and community leadership in promoting meaningful accountability, encouraging continuous improvement, and establishing systems for better supporting the nation’s educators.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, promote excellence in the education of all students, and ensure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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