WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in reaction to the bipartisan proposal to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind, which includes several programs and initiatives advocated by Senator Casey:
“While it may not be perfect, today’s bipartisan proposal addresses key problems in No Child Left Behind and is a significant step forward in ensuring that Pennsylvania students are well-prepared to compete in the twenty-first century economy. I’m pleased that it supports efforts to keep students safe in the classroom and supports enhanced coordination between early learning providers and elementary schools. It also increases access to opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects that will help students take advantage of major job growth in these fields. This proposal is a positive starting point and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee to improve the bill this week.”
Components of the proposed ESEA legislation that Senator Casey fought for include:
- The Successful, Safe and Healthy Schools program to advance student achievement and positive child and youth development by promoting student health and wellness, preventing bullying, violence and drug use, and fostering a positive school climate. School districts in states receiving grants will be required to implement policies prohibiting bullying and harassment, a key provision of the bipartisan Safe Schools Improvement Act, legislation Senator Casey reintroduced earlier this year.
- Enhanced coordination between early learning providers and elementary schools, as well as better professional development for early learning educators. The Race to the Top Program also calls for states to improve school readiness through enrollment of more children in quality early childhood education. Earlier this month, Senator Casey introduced the Continuum of Learning Act, legislation that calls for the types of coordinated early childhood education services included in ESEA. Earlier this year, Senator Casey introduced the Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act, which called for a grant competition like Race to the Top to improve early learning.
- The Improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Instruction and Student Achievement program will get students excited and engaged in STEM subjects with high-quality instruction, access to STEM competitions and exposure to STEM careers. Senator Casey was an original cosponsor of the Preparing Students for Success in the Global Economy Act, legislation that served as the basis for the STEM section of ESEA. The STEM program also funds the participation of students in computer science competitions, a provision from Senator Casey’s Computer Science Education Act.
- Provisions to help train teachers to identify gifted and talented students, as well as require school districts to report student performance at the highest level. These elements are taken from the TALENT Act, bipartisan legislation Senator Casey introduced with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) earlier this year.
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