[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 108 (Thursday, July 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          STUDENT SUCCESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5) to 
     support State and local accountability for public education, 
     protect State and local authority, inform parents of the 
     performance of their children's schools, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the 
partisan House Republican plan to destroy and dismantle the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Simply, this bill, H.R. 5, abandons 
our national commitment to equity in education for all K-12 students.
  For decades, Members of Congress--on both sides of the aisle--had 
supported the need for targeted resources designed to help our nation's 
disadvantaged students and close achievement gaps. But unfortunately, 
House Republicans have decided to turn their backs on our most 
vulnerable students in this bill. They are gutting education funding. 
They are removing protections for students with disabilities. They are 
making it easier to divert money away from poor and minority students. 
The Republican bill abandons the children who need us the most.
  There is no doubt that the current law under No Child Left Behind is 
in need of serious reform. I voted against No Child Left Behind in 2001 
and I know Minnesota schools, educators, and parents have had problems 
with it from the beginning.
  Today I do stand in strong support of the Democratic alternative. It 
repeals the inflexible Adequate Yearly Progress requirements and 
replaces them with a focus on student growth and preparation. It 
includes policies to ensure that all students have a well-rounded 
education including science, the arts, and languages. It supports 
innovations in education with investments in educational research and 
technology, high-quality charter schools, and comprehensive school 
plans to reduce bullying and keep all students safe.
  Our families, our educators, and our communities deserve K-12 
education legislation that ensures all students have access to a world 
class education. Congress should be passing legislation that invests in 
our neighborhood schools, supports the development of effective 
teachers and principals, and helps students prepare for their future 
careers. I urge my colleagues to embrace real education reform by 
voting for the Democratic alternative and against the underlying bill.

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