Conference Report on S. 1177, Student Success Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. ADAMS. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 played a major role in ensuring all students have access to quality education. Because of this legislation, over the past 50 years, we have made remarkable progress in closing the achievement gap that plagues many low-income students. However, we still have a lot of work to do.

The last reauthorization, No Child Left Behind, was signed into law in 2002 and hasn't been updated since. In that time, we have seen many changes in our education system and the needs of our students and educators, in addition to the unintended consequences of No Child Left Behind.

So I am proud today that we are finally moving forward with a bipartisan bill that keeps the best interests of American students and educators in mind. The Every Student Succeeds Act is a true embodiment of what a stronger reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act should look like.

This legislation upholds the key principles of equal access to education for all, rich or poor, and upholds accountability systems that ensure success. From promoting access to early education to supporting our neediest students and our teachers and investing in STEM education, this legislation puts our students first and helps to close achievement gaps.

Our children are our future. Educating them shouldn't be a Democrat or a Republican issue. So I urge all of my colleagues to support our students by supporting this critical bipartisan legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source