National PTA Legislative Conference 1999 | Homework

Homework

Talking Points Cards: ESEA

Background
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 affects nearly every school district in the nation. It is set to expire on September 30, 1999. ESEA was last reauthorized in 1994 in the Improving America's Schools Act. Beginning this year, Congress will review the more than 40 programs within this comprehensive $12 billion law.

Current ESEA programs supplement state and local efforts to provide educational opportunities to all children and are targeted to address specific national concerns. Parent involvement is a major component of Title I, which is the largest of the ESEA programs.

Major ESEA programs of interest to National PTA include the following:

Title I grant program, helping low-achieving children meet high standards
Eisenhower Professional Development Program for teachers and school staff
Bilingual Education Act
Impact Aid for school districts that lose local tax revenue due to federal activity
Education technology to help schools and students acquire and use technology tools
Before- and after-school enrichment and care programs
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement Act to help fund school repairs, construction, and modernization
Reading Excellence Act for students through grade 3
Comprehensive school reform
Class Size Reduction funding to hire and train new teachers for grades 1-3.

National PTA Position
National PTA supports reauthorization of ESEA and believes the significant changes made in the 1994 reauthorization should be maintained. In the new reauthorization, PTA will focus on securing stronger and more effective provisions in the law that ensure parent involvement, equity in meeting children's special educational needs, and an increase in schools' capacity to provide the comprehensive services children need and a positive learning environment.

ESEA—Talking Points

Flexibility in attaining education goals and implementing reforms has allowed schools and school districts to more effectively and efficiently serve all children.
Parent involvement provisions in Title I, which were strengthened in the 1994 reauthorization, bring a greater focus on obtaining parent input and disseminating information to parents. These provisions should be incorporated into all appropriate ESEA programs and more strictly enforced.
ESEA programs require states to develop content standards that specify what children are expected to know and be able to do and performance standards that define how children demonstrate their proficiency.
Positive effects are apparent in schools where comprehensive parent involvement programs, such as those required in Title I, are in place.
ESEA programs must be adequately funded and their targeted focus maintained.

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