House Education Advocate Applauds Senate Education Bill

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah, (D-PA), the chief Congressional advocate for the equitable distribution of educational resources and opportunities for America's children, went on record today in support of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee's legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Senator Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa) is chair of the Senate HELP Committee and author of  the legislation, which closes the achievement gaps between high and low performing schools, ensures critical educational resources for all students, requires highly qualified teachers be available to all students on an adequate and equitable basis, improves classroom instruction with the expectation that every student will graduate from high school fully prepared for a college education and it allows states to develop their own education reform plans and do away with the "adequate yearly progress" from the No Child Left Behind Act.

"This bill will help fulfill the promise that we have made to our children that anything is possible, especially when they are provided the educational tools they need to succeed," said Fattah. "Equity in education is not only a civil rights issue, it's an investment in our national interest and readiness as a competitor on the world stage. To compete in the world economy, we must have an educated work force – a fully educated work force."

To this end, Fattah introduced legislation that would amend ESEA, H.R. 379, the Fiscal Fairness Act. The bill provides comparability of opportunity for educationally disadvantaged students.  It closes a loophole in the federal law to compel school districts to provide equitable funding for high-poverty school districts.

Fattah said, "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to move ESEA reauthorization forward and ensure that all students are prepared for college and career, regardless of where they live."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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