Student Success Act

Floor Speech

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5, a bill that would take our education system backward instead of into the future.

K-12 education is my passion, and it has been for a long time. In fact, public education issues are what first led me to run for public office. Education is key to rebuilding our economy, to sustaining and improving the quality of life in our communities, and to the functioning of our government and democracy. We are in dire need of long-term thinking about how we can strengthen our public schools.

The policies in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, especially those put into law by No Child Left Behind, need a serious overhaul. The intent of NCLB was laudable: make sure that all students in America's public schools are getting a good education and aren't falling through the cracks. Unfortunately, the law has resulted in an overemphasis on high stakes testing, drastic penalties for low-performing schools, and an imbalanced focus on subjects that are tested at the expense of a well-rounded curriculum. Additionally, the NCLB provisions that prescribe a ``one size fits all'' approach with mandates and restrictions have undermined the teaching profession.

I am extremely disappointed that this reauthorization is moving forward in a rushed manner after only one perfunctory hearing. One of the main reasons I came to Congress was to work with all my colleagues from both sides of the aisle on finding the best policies to ensure that public schools provide all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, with a well-rounded education that prepares them for whatever their future may hold. But this reauthorization has not been given full and fair consideration by the Education and Workforce Committee, and the result is a bill that has little, if any, chance of becoming law. That's not only disappointing; it's detrimental to students across this great country. They deserve better.

H.R. 5 is alarming for a number of reasons. Its massive block grant approach would impede educational equity and make it more likely that students will receive educational opportunities based on where they live and the income of their parents. This, combined with the removal of Maintenance of Effort provisions and cuts to McKinney-Vento funding for homeless students, will result in thousands, if not millions, of fewer students having access to quality education.

I am also extremely concerned about H.R. 5's woefully inadequate funding. A strong system of education is critical to the success of our country and funding it should be a priority. Instead of taking money away from schools, especially those serving the lowest-income students, we should be investing in their improvement.

One important change that's needed to strengthen public education is to move away from high-stakes testing and allow states and school districts to use multiple measures in assessment, including adaptive testing and formative assessments. School performance should be measured in multiple ways, using multiple subjects and indicators. Additionally, teacher evaluations need to be improved and necessary support, including mentoring, given to teachers and school leaders. Though more work is always needed, Ranking Member MILLER's substitute amendment to H.R. 5 makes these improvements and more. I am proud to support it.

The substitute amendment also takes an important step forward with its comprehensive program for STEM education. One of the most exciting provisions in this program is the recognition of the value of arts and design to STEM learning, adding an ``A'' to make STEAM. Enhancing STEM through the arts and design will engage more students in school while helping them develop into innovative critical thinkers. Employers aren't looking for good test-takers; they want people who can create, communicate, and collaborate. The provisions recognizing the importance of the arts and design in STEM will give our students the skills they need to be competitive in the workforce.

It's also important to recognize the benefits of a well-rounded, whole child approach to education. Students must be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged at school to reach their full potential. Subjects like civics, physical education, and second languages lead to the development of well-rounded students who become productive and innovative adults. A well-rounded education gives students a greater diversity of skills, increases their engagement with subject material, and helps keeps them in school. The Democratic substitute makes significant strides toward achieving these goals.

I am also pleased that Ranking Member MILLER's substitute addresses many other shortcomings in our education system, including the flawed practice of seclusion and restraint, background checks for staff and contractors with access to children, standards for concussion safety, and meaningful funding levels for homeless students.

With that, I urge my colleagues to invest in our students, our teachers, and our schools, and to oppose H.R. 5 so we can return to a full and thorough consideration of our federal education policies.

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