ESEA ON THE WAY?: Alliance Webinar to Examine Prospects of Senate HELP Committee Bill Reaching—and Passing—the Full Senate Article

On Tuesday, November 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Alliance for Excellent Education will hold a webinar that will examine key changes in the bill that the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee passed to rewrite the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as No Child Left Behind.

SENATE HELP COMMITTEE PASSES LEGISLATION TO REWRITE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Article

On October 20, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed a bill to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), by a bipartisan vote of 15 to 7.

U.S. SENATORS HARKIN AND ENZI RELEASE DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE NCLB: Senate Committee to Consider Draft Containing Important Provisions for Nation’s High Schools Article

On October 11, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) Committee, released draft legislation to revise the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Alliance Analyzes Benefits and Concerns in Obama’s Flexibility Plan for High Schools Article

An analysis by the Alliance for Excellent Education reveals several elements in the flexibility policy that could benefit the nation’s high schools while also highlighting some concerns for these schools.

WAIVE AROUND: Obama Outlines Plan Allowing States to Waive Specific Provisions of No Child Left Behind Act Article

With the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—currently known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act—still under consideration in Congress, President Obama outlined a plan to provide states with flexibility from specific provisions of the law in exchange for state-led reform efforts to close achievement gaps, evaluate teachers and principals, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all students are on track to graduate ready for college and a career.

SOUND AND FURY OR SIGNIFYING NOTHING?: Flurry of Congressional Activity on NCLB Rewrite As House Passes Charter Schools Bill, House Committee Holds Hearing, and Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation Article

There was a flurry of activity on Capitol Hill last week around a rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

MAPPING STATE PROFICIENCY STANDARDS ONTO THE NAEP SCALES: Most States’ Proficiency Marks Still Fall Below National Standards, Report Finds Article

The majority of U.S. states continue to have student proficiency benchmarks that fall well below national standards, according to a federal report released last month.

Digital Learning and Technology: Federal Policy Recommendations to Seize the Opportunity—and Promising Practices That Inspire Them Report/Fact Sheet

Technology and digital learning provide innovative opportunities to improve education, personalize learning for each student, and have better student achievement.

KLINE INTRODUCES STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING FLEXIBLITY ACT: Bill Would Allow States and School Districts to Move Money Among Education Programs, Receives Criticism from Democrats Article

“OVERLOOKED AND UNDERPAID”: New Alliance Report Examines How Title I Shortchanges High Schools Article

The largest federal initiative aimed at improving educational outcomes for low-income students does not effectively serve high school students, according to a new policy brief from the Alliance for Excellent Education.