New ESEA Must Curb Federal Overreach | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

New ESEA Must Curb Federal Overreach | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

New ESEA Must Curb Federal Overreach

By National School Boards Association on August 7, 2013

By Michael A. Resnick, Associate Executive Director for Federal Advocacy and Public Policy,National School Boards Association (NSBA)
In the 12 years since the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was enacted, we’ve seen firsthand how the federal role in education has expanded substantially, particularly by unilateral decisions made by the U.S. Department of Education to transform the educational delivery system through initiatives such as its waiver program.
Now, we have an opportunity to change this course through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The National School Boards Association (NSBA) applauds Congress’ overall goal to ensure through legislation that all students are ready for college and careers. NSBA also is pleased to see that Congress is turning its attention to the growth of the federal role, including where it may adversely impact states and local schools.
Within the U.S. House of Representatives, the majority view supports a more bottom-up approach to the federal role. The Senate committee bill supports strong direction from the federal level. The divide between the two approaches is wide and presents Congress with major decisions about how federal education policy will be made for years to come under ESEA and other initiatives.
The House recently passed its bill, H.R.5, which basically says the time has come to lift the