Organizations Speak Out on ESEA/NCLB Reauthorization

President Obama urged Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), better known as No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) before it adjourns this year. Although ESEA/NCLB technically expired on September 30, 2007, the White House and Congress have delayed reauthorization, and have extended the current law until a new bill is approved, leaving educators, citizens and pundits speculating WHEN a new act will be reauthorized. 

This new round of discussion and debate was sparked by President Obama’s 41 page draft called “A Blueprint for Reform.”  In this new round of discussion and debate, key stakeholders in the education, civic, civil rights, business, think-tank, faith-based, community-based, parent, and activist communities have responded with their own comments to the US House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, and the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). As a service to keep activists informed of what national organizations are thinking, Public Education Network is posting their ESEA/NCLB comments as they are received by PEN. We have also included position statements, policy recommendations, and statements of principles and priorities. If your organization would like to have their statements posted, please send comments by email to kmercier@publiceducation.org.

Afterschool Alliance
Updated Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization (PDF)

Alliance for Excellent Education
Recommendations on How ESEA Reauthorization Can Better Prepare Students for College and Careers

Alliance for Educational Justice
Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization

American Association of School Administrators
Position on ESEA Reauthorization (PDF)

American Federation of School Administrators
Recommendations for the Reauthorization of ESEA (PDF)

American School Counselor Association
Response to Blueprint for Reform (PDF)

Association of American Publishers
Priorities for ESEA Reauthorization (PDF)

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
ASCD Educators Support White House's ESEA Blueprint

Aspen Institute
NCLB Commission Comments to House Education and Labor Committee

ASPIRA
Concerns on NCLB

Business Coalition for School Achievement
Principles for the Reauthorization of ESEA

Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
Recommendations for the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to strengthen Civic Learning (PDF)

Center for Mental Health in Schools
Recommendations to Congress for ESEA Reauthorization

Child Welfare League of America
Principles for National Legislation

Coalition for Community Schools
Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the ESEA (PDF)

Council for Exceptional Children
ESEA Reauthorization Recommendations (PDF)

Council of Chief State School Officers
ESEA Reauthorization Principles and Recommendations (PDF)

Council of the Greater City Schools
Summary of ESEA Reauthorization Proposals (PDF)

Education Industry Association
ESEA Organizing Principles (PDF)

Education Law Center, Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Public Advocates, and Californians for Justice
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)

The Education Trust
Statement of Principles (PDF)

Forum on Educational Accountability
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)

National Association of School Psychologists
Guiding Principles for Effective Education (PDF)

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
Updated Recommendations on ESEA Reauthorization

National Association of State Boards of Education
Core Principles and Recommendations For ESEA Reauthorization

National Association for the Education of Young Children
Recommendations on ESEA Reauthorization (PDF)

National Collaboration for Youth
Recommendations for the Reauthorization of ESEA (PDF)

National Council of Churches of the Churches of Christ, USA
Comments to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (PDF)

National Council for Educating Black Children
Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization (PDF)

National Council of La Raza, Hispanic Education Coalition
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)

National Council of Teachers of English
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)

National Education Association
Initial Legislative Recommendations for Reauthorization of ESEA (PDF)

The National Family, School, and Community Engagement Working Group
Recommendations for Federal Policy

National School Boards Association (NSBA)
Letter to House Education and Labor Committee

Parent Teacher Association
PTA Public Policy Agenda (PDF)

The Rural School and Community Trust
Rural Policy Matters Take on Blueprint for Reform

United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries
Comments to House Education and Labor Committee (PDF)
Comments to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (PDF)

United Voices for Education
Comments to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (PDF)


Click here to view statements from organizations from 2007-09