Dr. Bucshon Votes to Overhaul Education System, Empower States and Parents

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved the conference report for S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act,  a measure that replaces No Child Left Behind, reins in the federal government’s ability to intervene in K-12 education, restores state and local control, and empowers parents.

Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement regarding the passage of S. 1177:

“This legislation represents the first major education overhaul since 2002. With it, we reign in federal intervention, restore state and local control, and empower parents to make decisions on what’s best for their children regarding K-12 education. Without it, states and families will continue to be subject to the one-size-fits-all federal approach from the Department of Education that’s not working for students,” said Bucshon. “As a father of four, I understand how critical it is that education policy be set as close to the student as possible.  These common-sense reforms help accomplish that goal.” 

S. 1177 passed the House by a vote of bipartisan vote and represents a melding of proposals approved separately by the House and Senate earlier this year.

BACKGROUND:

 

Congressman Bucshon recently traveled the 8^th District during his “Education Tour,” where he met with area educators to discuss S. 1177 and other issues impacting their ability to teach students.

Highlights of S. 1177:

·         Places new and unprecedented restrictions on the authority of the Secretary of Education.

·         Prohibits the Secretary of Education from forcing, coercing, or incentivizing states into adopting Common Core. Those prohibitions can be found in sections 8544, 8525A, and 8527 of the legislation.

·         Ends the era of federally-mandated high-stakes testing.

·         Eliminates the federally-mandated one-size-fits-all-accountability system.

·         Repeals 49 ineffective and duplicative federal programs.

·         Provides states and schools with new funding and flexibility.

·         Offers parents more school choice.

What some major publications are saying:

Wall Street Journal: S. 1177 “would represent the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter-century.” (WSJ; 11/30/15)

The Daily Caller: S. 1177 “will substantially limit the Department of Education and give more authority to state governments.” (Daily Caller; 12/1/15)

NPR: Under S. 1177, the “Education secretary could no longer push for academic standards like the Common Core.”  (NPR; 12/1/15)

Politico: S. 1177 “significantly diminish(es) the power of the education secretary and prevent(s) the federal government from using its money and influence to promote national standards like the Common Core.” (Politico; 11/30/15)

Buzzfeed: Under S. 1177 “States will now get to design their own systems to measure how schools perform.” (Buzzfeed; 11/30/15)

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. is a physician and Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee serving his third term representing Indiana’s 8th Congressional district. The 8th District of Indiana includes all or parts of Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick counties.