Larsen: Hardworking Students Will Get Support They Deserve

Press Release

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a major education reform bill that includes Larsen's bipartisan language to provide payments to school districts that serve large numbers of military families and tribes. Earlier this year, Larsen introduced the Local Taxpayer Relief Act (H.R. 1318) in support of Impact Aid.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (the conference report to S. 1177) replaces the flawed standards of No Child Left Behind by giving states more flexibility to craft education solutions tailored to local community needs. The bill also maintains funding for low-income schools and districts, as well as requiring higher standards to improve outcomes for all students, including those with learning challenges.

Larsen has long championed the Impact Aid program, which makes up the difference in revenue for districts that serve large numbers of federally-connected students. The majority of public school funding comes from local property taxes. Since families on military bases and on Indian lands do not pay local property taxes, schools with a large percentage of these students are denied the traditional funding source for public schools. Impact Aid provides direct payments to these school districts, including those in La Conner, Marysville and Oak Harbor.

"Impact Aid keeps teachers and textbooks in the classroom to give our students the best chance at success. Communities like La Conner, Marysville and Oak Harbor depend on Impact Aid to provide their students with the learning opportunities they deserve, which is why I have pushed hard to keep Impact Aid strong. Today, Congress recognized the importance of supporting school districts like these all over the country. Bigger, more certain Impact Aid payments mean school districts can better focus on what they do best -- educating our students," Larsen said.

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