DeLauro Supports NEA Suit on No Child Law

DeLauro Supports NEA Suit on No Child Law

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement on the National Education Association today filing legal action against the U.S. Department of Education for imposing millions of dollars worth of illegal unfunded mandates on states and school districts under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The president's budget for 2006 is $9.4 billion less than the $22.75 billion originally called for in the law. If the federal government does not fund the program, states will be forced to do so.

The Connecticut Education Association is a plaintiff in the suit. Last week, DeLauro introduced the No Child Left Behind Reform Act.

"The Bush Administration and the Republican majority have not maintained their commitment to students or teachers by shortchanging states on the federal funding required for NCLB to be successful. The administration's inaction has forced unfunded mandates on states and school districts that are already facing budget shortfalls. Though it is a sad day when states and school districts have to take their case to court to get relief, this administration has left them with no other choice.

"The No Child Left Behind Act was supposed to raise school standards and ensure student achievement. But since NCLB became law, it has been a huge disappointment to the teachers, parents and schoolchildren who have depended on this program to improve the quality of education in this country. Connecticut, for example, was forced to eliminate its successful out-of-level testing program - which the state administered for nineteen years - in order to comply with Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB.

"We need to maintain our commitment to education, which is why I introduced the No Child Left Behind Reform Act last week. This legislation will amend the law, providing states with more flexibility in measuring student achievement, allowing schools to target school choice and supplemental services to the students, and ensuring that NCLB's highly qualified teacher provisions are both rigorous and reasonable."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/April/NEA_NCLB_04_20_05.html