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VIDEO RELEASE: Committee Leaders Highlight Enhanced Flexibility, Innovative Teacher Policies in K-12 Education Bills

This week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved two pieces of legislation to revamp K-12 education law. During committee consideration of the Student Success Act (H.R. 3989) and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act (H.R. 3990), Republicans discussed ways both pieces of legislation will return control to states and school districts and support better teachers in our nation’s classrooms.

Providing More Flexibility in the Use of Federal Funds

The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act eliminate inefficient federal programs and provide states and school districts enhanced flexibility in the use of federal education funds, allowing teachers, superintendents, and principals to apply resources to the initiatives that best meet the needs of students.

                              
“Administrators and teachers ask if there’s a way we can consolidate [rigid federal funding streams] so schools can better apply the funds to areas where they have needs… [The legislation] gives them that much-needed flexibility.” – Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI)

Supporting Creativity in the Classroom

The innovation and creativity of teachers should be encouraged, not hampered by regulatory roadblocks. By removing the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) accountability system and reducing federal mandates, The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act allow school leaders more opportunities to think outside the box when it comes to educating our students.

                              

“We should do more to free the teachers up to teach and to allow them to use the great skills they have to bring the best out in their students. Staying with the status quo… is not the way to do it.” – Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)

Putting the Focus Back on Students through New Teacher Evaluation Systems

Current law’s “Highly Qualified Teacher” mandates value a teacher’s credentials and tenure over his or her ability to raise student achievement. The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act repeal these antiquated metrics and instead direct states and school districts to develop unique teacher evaluation systems based in part on student performance. 

                              
“I understand the need to be qualified … but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a good teacher… It’s more than just a diploma on the wall.” – Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN)

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