Dive Brief:
- The combined House and Senate versions of the new Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) rewrite, now called the "Every Student Succeeds Act," passed the Conference Committee with a 39-1 vote.
- Many education advocates are reserving judgment on the bill's merits until its full language is released.
- Notably, the new version alters accountability by making test scores, graduation rates, and proficiency in English at least 51% of a school's grade, according to Education Week, which also noted that the new draft bill marks the first time the federal government's role in education has been scaled back since the 1980s.
Dive Insight:
Before the committee convened, a “framework” had already been agreed upon by the four politicians leading the negotiating committee: Reps. John Kline (R-MN) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray(D-WA). According to Education Week, its approval took place “amid much bipartisan backslapping."
"This agreement, in my opinion, is the most significant step towards local control in 25 years," Alexander said. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only “no” vote.
The hardest part, however, is yet to come: The new draft bill has to go before both the full Senate and House of Representatives before arriving at President Barack Obama’s desk for approval. Moving forward, the proposal should reach the floor of both chambers after Thanksgiving.