Statement from First Focus on Passage of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Reauthorization in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee

Washington – In response to the October 20, 2011, Senate HELP Committee’s 15-7 passage of bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Act and fundamentally re-writing the former “No Child Left Behind” Act, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement:

“Parents, teachers, school administrators, and lawmakers all agree No Child Left Behind isn’t working. That’s why the First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the leadership and bipartisan commitment of HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Republican Mike Enzi. But the Committee-approved draft misses important opportunities, and the Senate floor debate must improve the bill by matching accountability and standards with flexibility and genuine learning, ensuring that teachers, principals, and kids have the tools they need to meet high standards, and investing in early childhood education, so kids are ready to learn when they start school.”

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