Press Releases

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), today held a legislative hearing on the Student Success Act (H.R. 3989) and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act (H.R. 3990). The two pieces of legislation represent the next chapter in Republican efforts to rewrite elementary and secondary education law.

During his opening remarks, Chairman Kline said, “The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act…present a new way forward for K-12 education. These proposals build upon the progress made under No Child Left Behind while also offering thoughtful solutions to address its shortfalls… These proposals strike a more appropriate balance between the need for a limited federal role to ensure transparency and the demand for state and local control.”

The videos below showcase education experts’ support for the policies in the Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act.

Supporting State and Local Innovation

Across the country, state and local education leaders have successfully implemented creative reforms that expand transparency, enhance accountability, and help close student achievement gaps. These efforts have had a positive impact on children, and the Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act will foster continued progress on the state and local level.

 

           

States are currently engaged in a ‘renaissance’ of education reform. More than 30 states last year passed some form of comprehensive education reform legislation. States across the nation are addressing antiquated labor practices, improving student access to technology, engaging in system redesign, adopting clear and high academic standards, and developing data systems that support targeted student interventions and improved program evaluation.” – Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna

Restoring State and Local Control over School Accountability

Parents, teachers, and state and local leaders are more suited to address students' needs than a one-size-fits-all accountability system developed by Washington bureaucrats. The Student Success Act will call on each state to implement its own accountability system that considers the challenges and opportunities facing local schools and more accurately measures student achievement.

           

“States ought to be trusted completely. That’s what the premise of the country is… The level of accountability and the immediacy of response is far quicker, greater, and more meaningful when we move authority away from Washington and back to the neighborhood.” – Colorado State Board of Education Chairman Bob Schaffer

Shrinking the Federal Footprint

Rather than continuing to force states to adopt policies that reflect the priorities of Washington bureaucrats, the Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act will give control back to the state and local education officials who best understand the unique needs of their students.

           

“The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act represent a strong step in the right direction…because they re-center the balance of federal involvement in education, returning leadership to education stakeholders at the state and local level… We strongly support the efforts of these bills to balance the proper role of the federal government in education.” – Hampton School District Superintendent Jimmy Cunningham

Improving Teacher Effectiveness

Instead of placing excessive emphasis on credentials and tenure, the Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act will direct states and school districts to develop and implement their own teacher evaluation systems based on student learning.

           

“Understanding the difference between good teaching and great teaching is what inspires me to support the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act. Like any other parent, I want nothing less for my own three children thnt I would give to any of my students and this effective instruction provided to them by a teacher who has been proven to get results while at the same time creating a positive learning environment.” – Otero Elementary School Teacher Felicia Kazmier

To read witness testimony, opening statements, or watch an archived webcast of today’s hearing, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/hearings.

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