Reauthorizing ESEA
Congress and the Administration are putting their energy behind the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). This law, when enacted, will rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act to address the 21st century needs of our students, and serve as the launch pad for education policy at the state and local level for the next decade. We are working with Members to make sure that the law makes the most of what we’ve learned works best for schools and children: increasing quality learning time, holding schools accountable for results, making learning more relevant to college and career success, and spurring innovation to grow what works in communities. Download the complete leave-behind.
STRENGTHEN 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
The 21st CCLC program was first created in 1994 to provide extended day/year programs that provide academic support and enrichment. This investment will be most cost-effective and focused on improving student achievement with the following principles:
- Provide local options so that local communities have authority to use funds for effective programs whenever they take place: before school, after school, during the summer, or during a redesigned school day or year
- Ensure strong partnerships between schools and community partners and allow both community based organizations and local education agencies to be eligible to apply for funds
- Ensure high quality, not just with more time for learning, but the right kind of time: engaged learning time that addresses the specific learning needs and interests of all types of students, especially those who may benefit from approaches and experiences not offered in the traditional classroom setting
SUPPORT EXPANDED LEARNING TIME DONE RIGHT
The principles of quality expanded learning time are articulated clearly through the provisions of The Time for Innovation Matters in Education (TIME) Act (S. 1410 and H.R. 3130 in the 111th Congress). The TIME Act would give schools the opportunity to comprehensively redesign and expand their schedules—ultimately increasing learning time by at least 30% in partnership with extended day providers.
EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) EDUCATION
The private and non-profit sectors can engage STEM professionals to work directly with teachers in America’s classrooms to help bring STEM careers to life for students, assist teachers in conducting more relevant learning, and expose more STEM professionals to pathways to full-time teaching. The ESEA’s Math and Science Partnerships program is a promising start, and it should do more to promote partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations.
INVEST IN INNOVATION AND SCALE WHAT WORKS
To continue scaling effective education reforms, Congress should assist school systems and non-profit organizations that have demonstrated success in helping students succeed, and have the capacity and desire to implement new approaches or take their operations to a national scale. The Secondary School Innovation Fund Act (S. 968 and H.R.2239 in the 111th Congress) awards competitive grants to implement innovative partnerships and strategies at the secondary school level to improve student achievement and prepare at-risk students for postsecondary education and the workforce.
