Renewal of law governing NCLB is overdue, local schools concerned

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, sent a letter today to committee chairman Rep. George Miller urging prompt action the law which governs the policies put in place by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is overdue for renewal, and action on the bill would give lawmakers the opportunity to revise and renew NCLB.

      The letter was sent today as schools across Michigan appeal for state funding as they participate in Count Day. Around 25 percent of state funding for schools is determined by student attendance on the bi-annual Count Days.

      Congressman Ehlers has heard from school leaders in West Michigan who are concerned about needed policy changes in NCLB that impact their schools due to the lack of action. It has been overdue for renewal since the end of 2006.

      Below is the text of Congressman Ehlers’ letter.

February 11, 2009

The Honorable George Miller

Chairman

Committee on Education & Labor

United States House of Representatives

2205 Rayburn

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Miller,

I respectfully request that you lead the Education & Labor Committee to promptly act on legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  I applaud the leadership you demonstrated during the bipartisan efforts to enact the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, as well as your work on draft reauthorization legislation during the 110^th Congress, and action on this law is urgently needed now.

            As you are aware, the ESEA is overdue for reauthorization, and the lack of action greatly concerns me.  Also, I recently heard from local education leaders and school board members about the urgent need for reforms and improvements to the law. 

            I understand that reauthorizing the ESEA requires significant discussion and input from school administrators, teachers, students and their parents.  However, given the opportunity to participate in Committee hearings and markups on reauthorization legislation, I am confident that Members of the Education & Labor Committee will find a bipartisan approach to continuing important education reforms and making needed improvements to the law. 

Throughout the reauthorization process, it is important that the focus be on providing an innovative, world-class education for our students, who represent our future workforce.  It is also important that the billions of federal taxpayer funds annually provided to states and schools be used in an accountable manner.

            I look forward to working with you on the reauthorization of the ESEA, and, again, respectfully request that the Committee promptly consider such legislation.

Sincerely,

Vernon J. Ehlers

Member of Congress