Republican Controlled Congress Passes Every Child Achieves Act

The newly Republican controlled Senate is proving the party’s ability to build a productive Congressional agenda, while Democrats seemed to ignore major issues. In 2007, the No Child Left Behind Act expired during a time when the Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate. Democrats always spoke of the need for a replacement bill for the 2002 Act, but never took the initiative while in the majority. On Thursday, July 16, 2015, the Senate passed the Every Child Succeeds Act 81-17.

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Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, said to the upper chamber on Thursday, July 9th:

“The previous Senate Majority failing to replace (No Child Left Behind) with a serious proposal, many of the original requirements stayed in place anyway, and gradually became unworkable. This resulted in a lot of states getting tangled up in endless bureaucracy, reducing their ability to focus on boosting student achievement and school performance.”

The long overdue overhaul of the 2002 Act comes just days after the Republican controlled House passed a similar Bill sponsored by Rep. John Kline (R-MN). This new education system gives the states more control over what their specific residents need. Associated Press wrote:

“The legislation would narrow No Child Left Behind’s federal involvement in public schools by giving states and school districts more control over assessing the performance of schools, teachers and students. It would keep the law’s requirement for annual math and reading tests but prohibit the federal government from requiring or encouraging specific sets of academic standards, such as Common Core.”

The overwhelming support for the bill comes from the ability of each state to cater to its own needs. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said while addressing the Senate:

“So why am I standing today before you in support of the Every Child Achieves Act? When Alaskans are visiting about the education bill that we know as No Child Left Behind, it is clear that to a number—whether you are an educator, whether it is students, parents, tribes; it didn’t make any difference—nobody was happy. The one-size-fits-all mandate, poor tribal consultation, and the lack of State and local control over our children’s education clearly were not working. … In short, I am confident that [the Every Child Achieves Act] returns control of State standards, curriculum, instruction, assessments, educator qualifications, and school accountability to the State of Alaska, and that is where I want it to be.

This instrumental piece of legislation has set the stage for improving the country’s education system. Many schools still struggle with providing resources, qualified teachers, and environment for safe learning. The Republican Congress is successfully showing its effectiveness and commitment for education reform.

This legislation adds to the consistent pattern of accomplishments the Republican Majority has achieved this year.

  • 25 bills signed into law
  • 45+ bills passed the Senate
  • 150+ bills reported from Senate committees
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