Opposing the Student Success Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 5, also known as the Student Success Act. The Federal Government has played a key role in funding our education for 40 years; 40 years, Mr. Speaker.

We know how effective title I is when it is properly funded. We know low-income children and English language learners are negatively impacted when education funding is block-granted or made portable.

H.R. 5 does all these things: It locks in cuts to title I funding, block-grants many of the funding streams dedicated to specific at-risk populations, and it allows these funds to be diverted away from the districts and schools that need them most.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is meant to promote opportunity, Mr. Speaker, not take it away. I urge all my colleagues to oppose H.R. 5.

And while Ranking Member Scott's substitute amendment is an improvement over the current law and I will be supporting it, I still have serious concerns about our Nation's emphasis on standardized testing. We cannot continue to use standardized test scores to punish teachers and schools.

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