On April 16, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee unanimously approved the Every Child Achieves Act (as-yet-unnumbered).
The measure would reauthorize and amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (P.L. 107-110), now commonly known as No Child Left Behind, which expired in 2007. The bill is the result of a bipartisan agreement reached between Chair Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA). According to the committee summary, the bill would, among other provisions, strengthen state and local control, end federal test-based accountability, help states fix the lowest-performing schools, and ensure that states can spend federal funds on early education programs.
During consideration of the legislation, the committee approved an amendment by Sen. Murray to create a competitive grant program for states that want to improve early childhood coordination, quality, and access. The amendment also would target resources for low- and moderate-income families.
