CHC STATEMENT ON ‘NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND’ WAIVERS

August 9, 2011

Washington D.C.: Chairman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX 20) released a statement in response to Department of Education’s announcement that waivers to certain unmanageable provisions to No Child Left Behind:

“As decisions are made about what these waivers may include, I urge Secretary Duncan to ensure that progress is being made in schools by maintaining strong accountability measures that reflect the specifics needs of each school. Considering that the new school year is beginning in the absence of an updated version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, educators across the country will continue to face challenges to academic success. Our students and our educators deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach."

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX 15), 1st Vice Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus:

“While providing waivers to states may be a short-term solution for aspects of NCLB that have not served children well, we in Congress must remain focused and committed to improving the law and to preparing all students to be college-and-career ready. Investing in our nation's dropout factories and high-need schools and equipping our educational leaders, teachers, and parents with the resources, tools, and support they need to close the achievement gap should be our first priority. We can and must provide disadvantaged students, English Language Learners, migrant students, students with disabilities, and diverse learners with an excellent education. Our nation's global competitiveness depends on it. As a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve our schools and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education