Senate begins debate on ESEA reauthorization

While the House had tackled ESEA through several separate bills, the Senate has drafted a comprehensive bill that covers Title I, teacher professional development, education reform, bilingual education, safe and drug-free schools, and other programs.

The Senate bill, introduced by Sen. Jim M. Jeffords (R-Vt.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, does not make major changes in the centerpiece of ESEA, the $10 billion Title I program. It would, however, strengthen accountability provisions, including those that deal with corrective actions for failing schools.

It also strengthens provisions on the coordination of Title I activities with other federal programs, such as special education and vocational education.

The Jeffords bill would create a new teacher quality program by combining funds under the Eisenhower professional development program and the class-size reduction initiative.

States could use funding under this section for a broad range of activities, including reforming teacher certification or licensing requirements, mentoring programs, establishing or improving alternative routes to certification, and recruiting teachers and principals.

Local school districts could apply to states for funding under this program, which they could use for such activities as recruiting teachers to reduce class sizes, providing signing bonuses, recruiting minorities and people with disabilities into the teaching profession, and providing professional development.

The bill proposes a new Academic Achievement for All (Straight A's) Act, which would allow states to combine federal education funds to increase student achievement. To participate, states would enter into performance partnership agreements with the Secretary of Education. NSBA opposes this measure, which is similar to a bill passed by the House, on the grounds that it would complicate the local decision-making process and undermine the financial equity of the federal role.

Another new initiative, the Rural Flexibility Act, would provide funding to rural school districts to help implement education reform strategies aimed at improving student performance.

The Republicans are expected to offer amendments to allow Title I funds to be used for vouchers at private schools and give states and school districts more flexibility in how they use federal funds.

Democrats are expected to seek amendments to retain the Administration's class-size reduction initiative as a separate program and to create a new program for school construction and modernization.

NSBA has urged members of the Senate to consider the following issues when debating the ESEA bill:

• oppose legislation, like Straight A's that would concentrate flexibility at the state level, rather than the local district level;

• support a separate funding stream within Title I for preschool programs;

• help local districts build a stronger capacity for technical assistance, program development, and strategic planning;

• target greater portions of increased funding to school districts with the highest concentration of poor students;

• support early intervention for marginal schools to prevent schoolwide failure; and

• support teacher quality funds for school districts with the greatest need.

Reproduced with permission from the Mar. 7, 2000, issue of School Board News. Copyright © 2000, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789.