Student Success Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member, for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, there is overwhelming bipartisan consensus that we need
to replace No Child Left Behind. And there is overwhelming bipartisan
consensus that a rewrite of No Child Left Behind should promote local
flexibility and support schools, not punish them. So I am deeply
disappointed that the House has not come together to produce a
bipartisan bill.

Despite a common goal and a long history of setting aside differences
to work together on this important legislation, this bill does not
adequately support America's students. Unfortunately, the Student
Success Act shifts resources away from communities where poverty is
most concentrated and freezes funding for America's most needy students
at a time when public school enrollment is on the rise and more than
half the students come from low-income families.

H.R. 5 does not support a well-rounded education for all students, it
does not ensure college- and career-ready standards for all students,
it does not promote quality afterschool programs, and it does not do
enough to reduce emphasis on high-stakes tests.

The original goal of ESEA was laudable--equity. ESEA deserves a full
review by the House so we can implement thoughtful solutions that
reflect the current needs in our schools. But this bill does not
protect historically underserved students.

Mr. Chairman, I oppose this act, and I ask my colleagues to do the
same. We need a law that is serious about addressing the challenges
educators and students face today.

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