NEA: GOP ESEA Drafts “Fall Short” on Equity in Education for All Students

The National Education Association, representing more than three million educators across the nation, is the latest organization to raise serious concerns about  the Republican draft Elementary and Secondary Education Act proposals:

“We must remember the days before ESEA when generations of children were denied the basic educational opportunities they deserved. We must judge proposals on whether they will strengthen our educational system, or whether they will move us backward. We must find an appropriate balance of federal and state roles by refocusing on strong state accountability systems while continuing to maintain a sharp federal focus on equity across state and district lines.

“The House draft bills fail to address equity issues adequately. The House proposals do not push states enough to narrow achievement gaps; provide equal access to quality education; and ensure that state standards and assessment and accountability systems work for students.  The proposals also lack a comprehensive plan to address existing inequities in public education that harm students and communities, particularly students and communities of color.”

Those who work in the classroom every day are important voices to include as we look to create effective education policy that benefits all children. They remind us that students, regardless of their background or geography, must be first and foremost in any discussion on reforms to our education laws. Ensuring that all students have equal access to a quality education is why the federal government got involved in education in the first place. This principle should guide our efforts as we move forward.

The NEA joins top civil rights, business associations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, disability and other education groups who have raised serious questions over the majority’s efforts to rewrite our nation’s education laws.