NSBA sets 2008 advocacy priorities
03/08 -- NSBA’s legislative priorities for the second session of the 110th Congress include the following:
(1) Supporting NSBA’s comprehensive recommendations to improve No Child Left Behind in 2008 by securing co-sponsors for the bipartisan NCLB Improvements Act (H.R. 648) introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). The bill includes provisions giving states more flexibility to use:
• other measures of achievement, such as growth;
• more effective accountability measures for English language learners and students with disabilities; and
• common-sense approaches in applying sanctions.
(2) Increasing the federal investment in public education, with a special focus on Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. NSBA urges Congress to provide a $2.5 billion increase for Title I and a $2.5 billion increase for IDEA as a strong step toward full funding for both programs.
(3) Securing a lasting solution to prevent the Bush administration from cutting Medicaid reimbursements to local school districts for the costs of providing school-based administrative and transportation services to low-income children with disabilities.
(4) Strengthening teacher quality by:
• adding common-sense flexibility to the NCLB requirements on highly qualified teachers;
• supporting the recruitment, training, and retention of teachers in hard-to-staff schools and high-need subjects; and
• improving teacher preparation programs through the Higher Education Act.
NSBA also urges Congress to extend the E-rate program, approve new federal funding for school construction, and reject efforts to create or expand private school voucher programs.
In addition, NSBA is paying particular attention to these five emerging issues: voluntary, universal preschool; national standards; performance pay for teachers; green schools; and expanding the school day and year
08 -- NSBA’s legislative priorities for the second session of the 110th Congress include the following:
(1) Supporting NSBA’s comprehensive recommendations to improve No Child Left Behind in 2008 by securing co-sponsors for the bipartisan NCLB Improvements Act (H.R. 648) introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). The bill includes provisions giving states more flexibility to use:
• other measures of achievement, such as growth;
• more effective accountability measures for English language learners and students with disabilities; and
• common-sense approaches in applying sanctions.
(2) Increasing the federal investment in public education, with a special focus on Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. NSBA urges Congress to provide a $2.5 billion increase for Title I and a $2.5 billion increase for IDEA as a strong step toward full funding for both programs.
(3) Securing a lasting solution to prevent the Bush administration from cutting Medicaid reimbursements to local school districts for the costs of providing school-based administrative and transportation services to low-income children with disabilities.
(4) Strengthening teacher quality by:
• adding common-sense flexibility to the NCLB requirements on highly qualified teachers;
• supporting the recruitment, training, and retention of teachers in hard-to-staff schools and high-need subjects; and
• improving teacher preparation programs through the Higher Education Act.
NSBA also urges Congress to extend the E-rate program, approve new federal funding for school construction, and reject efforts to create or expand private school voucher programs.
In addition, NSBA is paying particular attention to these five emerging issues: voluntary, universal preschool; national standards; performance pay for teachers; green schools; and expanding the school day and year.
Reproduced with permission from School Board News. Copyright © 2008, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789.