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To: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL)

Fix Our Nation’s Schools, Pass ESEA

We, the undersigned advocates for youth, urge congressional leaders to work together and pass a federal education bill that ensures all students are on track to graduate college- and career-ready.

As Congress considers making changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), we urge you to put politics aside and support: a smart system of wraparound supports for students, strengthened family and community engagement, school turnaround and improvement of the lowest performing schools, and increased accountability for graduating students college- and career-ready.

Why is this important?

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private and nonprofit sectors work together.

Last authorized in 2002, ESEA is long overdue for revision. This is the largest federal program designed to improve education, particularly for disadvantaged students. The reauthorization of ESEA represents a great opportunity for a new vision and approach for providing a better education for millions of children. Not only is it a major piece of legislation for education policy, it’s a critical piece of the economic policy of our nation.

Our children have waited long enough. Now’s the time to act. Congressional leaders must come together and fix our nation's public education system.

Links

Updates

2013-08-21 12:41:53 -0400

500 signatures reached

2013-07-22 09:24:01 -0400

On July 19, the House of Representatives passed a Republican-only reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Action (ESEA). The bill, approved 221-207, would eliminate goals and performance targets for academic achievement and consolidate several federal education programs into a block grant. President Obama has vowed to veto the bill. The Senate is likely to consider a reauthorization bill in the early fall. Help us continue to send a message to congressional leadership that they must find a bipartisan solution that supports our nation's young people. Please join us in drumming up signatures. Thank you for your support!

For more information: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2013/07/house_passes_partisan_nclb_rew.html?print=1

2013-07-18 23:54:01 -0400

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Friday, July 19 on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). While United Way is encouraged to see movement on education legislation in Congress, the bill is very partisan and is not likely to be enacted into law. Please continue to rally support for Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that prioritizes what’s in the best interest for our students. The U.S. Senate is expected to consider ESEA in the fall.

2013-06-28 10:31:05 -0400

100 signatures reached

2013-06-19 00:22:59 -0400

50 signatures reached

2013-06-18 11:29:43 -0400

25 signatures reached