06.23.16

Scott Statement on Full Committee Hearing on ESSA Implementation

WASHINGTON – Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after a full committee hearing entitled “Next Steps in K-12 Education: Examining Recent Efforts to Implement the Every Student Succeeds Act.” U.S. Secretary of Education John King testified before the committee.

“Thanks to the enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act, states and school districts now have more flexibility to carry out this law and make sure all students are provided the tools and resources to graduate college and career ready.  However, with more flexibility comes greater accountability and responsibility for meeting the academic needs of students in the classroom. To fulfill this responsibility and comply with the requirements of the new law, states and school districts expect and deserve a robust regulatory framework, clear technical assistance, and ongoing oversight from the U.S. Department of Education. Committee Democrats understand that effective governing takes all three branches of government, and the Every Student Succeeds Act is no exception. 

“I commend the Department of Education, under the leadership of Secretary King, for moving quickly to fulfill its constitutional obligation to regulate and implement the ESSA. The Secretary and his staff continue to collect feedback from Congress, practitioners, parents, administrators, the civil rights community and other interested parties in an effort to refine and improve proposed regulations. I am confident that the Department’s transparent and collaborative process will produce a regulatory framework that empowers student-centered state and local decision making. 

“Fulfilling the promise of the Every Student Succeeds Act rests in successful implementation that honors Congress’ longstanding intent of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; the intent to support, promote and protect, at all levels of government, the right to an equal educational opportunity for every child, regardless of race, income, language status, or disability.”

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