Senate Passes Education Reform Bill That Includes Ayotte Amendments

Press Release

Today, in a 81-17 vote, the U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1117), which includes several amendments introduced or cosponsored by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) - including measures to strengthen mental health first aid training, increase participation in STEM programs by girls and underrepresented groups, and better assist students dealing with substance abuse issues at home.

"New Hampshire parents, teachers, and school leaders have shared with me numerous concerns about our education system, and it's past time to update and improve No Child Left Behind. This bipartisan bill will return accountability and responsibility for education decisions back to where it belongs - in states, local school districts, and classrooms," Ayotte said. "I'm pleased that the bill includes additional initiatives I worked on that reflect New Hampshire priorities - including expanding mental health first aid training, encouraging greater student participation in STEM, and bolstering support for students dealing with substance abuse issues in the home. These common sense measures will further enhance and improve our education system, and help prepare students in New Hampshire and across our nation for good careers and future success."

The Every Child Achieves Act includes provisions that will give states the flexibility to develop their own ways to measure student achievement, school success, and accountability. It also prohibits the federal government from mandating or incentivizing states to adopt particular curriculum or standards, like Common Core.

KEY AYOTTE PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN EVERY CHILD ACHIEVES ACT:

Supporting Mental Health First Aid Training: Ayotte successfully included an amendment she coauthored with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) that allows schools to use funds for mental health first aid training programs to help school personnel better recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and address crisis situations safely.

Boosting STEM Education: Ayotte worked with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to include an amendment aimed at increasing participation in STEM programs by underrepresented groups, including girls, minority students, English learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students.

Improving Accountability and Sharing of Resources: Ayotte cosponsored an amendment with Senator Angus King (I-ME) that will allow more states to participate in pilot programs and use innovative assessments and measures of accountability, like the competency-based assessment pilot program recently approved for use in New Hampshire. Ayotte and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) included an amendment to improve oversight of the Early Learning Alignment and Improvement Grants program. Ayotte and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) also included a measure to support the use of shared service alliances for early childhood education programs, like the Seacoast Early Learning Alliance in New Hampshire, which has saved its members $84,000 in operating costs and reallocated those funds to improve the quality of their programs.

Addressing New Hampshire's Drug Crisis: Ayotte and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) included two measures to better assist students dealing with substance abuse issues at home. Both would encourage local decision makers to provide professional development, training, and technical assistance to schools in communities affected by these addiction crises.

Strengthening our Workforce: To better meet workforce needs, Ayotte worked with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on an amendment to ensure that career and technical education is considered a core academic subject in schools. Ayotte also worked with Senator Warner to include language facilitating better transitions from middle school to high school and from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce.

Caring for Homeless and Foster Youth: Along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), and several senators, Ayotte introduced an amendment that would update and improve reporting on the high school graduation rates of homeless and foster students, allowing for schools to better support these students.

Informing Parents: In an effort to engage parents and make them aware of critical information regarding testing, Ayotte worked with Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to pass an amendment that would require schools to notify parents that they may request information regarding any state or local policies related to mandatory assessments. It also affirms that parents have the right to know the qualifications of their children's classroom teachers.

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