Press Releases

Today, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), held a hearing to explore state and local efforts to improve public school accountability.

In his opening remarks, Rep. Hunter said, “We can all agree a strong accountability system is vital for effectively monitoring and improving student achievement. However, the current system under elementary and secondary education law is failing.”

Rep. Hunter continued, “Instead of forcing a narrow and inflexible system on states and school districts, the federal government should encourage state and local officials to create new approaches for measuring student achievement and engaging parents and community members in the performance of schools.”

Highlights from today’s hearing include -

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) discussed the importance of data collection to help teachers and parents assess ways to improve student achievement with Fort Smith Public Schools Superintendent Benny Gooden: 

              

Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) shared a personal story about an innovative program that allows parents to monitor their children’s academic progress and grades online, and praised GreatSchools CEO Bill Jackson on his work to provide parents with information on school quality and performance:

              

“I appreciate all the ideas and insight shared by the witnesses who testified both today and before the full committee last week,” Chairman John Kline (R-MN) said after the hearing concluded. “Hearing from folks on the ground about innovative approaches to improving the nation’s schools is extremely valuable as the committee continues its work on proposals to address issues of teacher quality and accountability in our education system.”

To read testimony and view related documents from today’s hearing, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/hearings.

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