Congress has taken significant action to enact a full reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act.

Earlier this month, the Senate began consideration of the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177) to renew the outdated law. We are asking you to send an email to your senators to let them know that you support S. 1177 because it will provide teachers and principals with the support they need to offer a high quality education for every student.  

While the bill is not perfect, it represents a bipartisan comprise of the laws renewal that is important for the nation’s education system. NASSP, in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators, we’re pleased to see several of our recommendations included in S. 1177, and specifically support the following provisions of the bill:

• The elimination of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures and the 100 percent proficiency requirements
• Clarification of the term “School Leader” as the principal of an elementary, middle, or high school
• Inclusion of use of funds in Title II for a “School Leader Residency Program”
• Updated school leadership-focused activities to improve the recruitment, preparation, placement, support, and retention of effective principals and other school leaders in high-need schools
• The removal of the unworkable school turnaround models that are required under the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program regulations
• The continued disaggregation of subgroup data and reporting
• Allowable use of local Title II funds to develop induction and mentoring programs that are designed to improve school leadership and provide opportunities for mentor principals and other educators who are experienced, effective, and have demonstrated an ability to work with adult learners as well as provide “personalized” professional development for educators

As a leader in your school and community, your voice is extremely powerful in this debate. Please take a moment to send an email to your senators in Congress, and urge them to consider the voice of principals in the reauthorization of ESEA. While a sample letter has been provided for you, we strongly urge you to personalize the letter where possible.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/HAnIIHdZKOI5CgPMl5FMhw