Congress Must Reauthorize The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, today we find ourselves on the House floor yet again debating H.R. 5. After several months of delay, the majority party has yet to realize that this bill is not in the best interest of America's children.
We all agree that Congress must reauthorize a strong Elementary and Secondary Education Act. H.R. 5 does not meet the test.
Any reauthorization must ensure that education is properly funded at the State and Federal level for all of America's children; that all students have access to a well-rounded education, which includes subjects like physical education, music, and the arts; and that students are annually assessed, which allows for parents and teachers to measure students' progress.
H.R. 5 does none of these things. Instead, it fails our students, our teachers, and our families. The bill drastically reduces education funding, eliminates and weakens protections for disabled students, fails to provide a well-rounded education for all students, and generally makes it more difficult to educate those for whom the act was designed to protect.
The bill turns title I funding into a block grant. The program would disproportionately harm disadvantaged and low-income students. Schools across the country, including some in my own congressional district, rely on these funds to help ensure children are given a fair chance to meet State academic standards.
H.R. 5 also allows title I dollars to become portable, which would divert much-needed funds from the highest need poverty schools and districts.
H.R. 5 removes requirements that States ensure students graduate from high school college and career ready. The bill focuses primarily on math and reading assessments, without providing any programmatic support for literacy, for STEM, and for other subjects that provide a well-rounded curriculum. It eliminates wraparound support services, which are very important to needy students. It eliminates afterschool, family engagement, physical, dental, and mental health programs.
This year, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill, essentially a civil rights law, reaffirmed that every child has the right to an equal opportunity for a quality education.
However, H.R. 5 undermines the law's original intent, turning back the clock on equity and accountability in American public education and ignores the needs of America's most vulnerable students. H.R. 5 is a step backward in our country's education system. This legislation fails our students and their families.
America deserves better.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source