Key Pieces of Secondary School Legislation: This document provides brief summaries and sponsor information for key pieces of secondary school legislation introduced in the 112th U.S. Congress and those introduced in the 111th U.S. Congress that are pending reintroduction for the 112th Congress.

Click on the links below for more information about a bill, including bill analysis, sponsor information, press coverage, and accompanying materials.

Introduced in the 112th U.S. Congress

Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act (S. 929)
The LEARN Act is a comprehensive literacy bill that would authorize $2.35 billion to support state and local programs to ensure that children from birth through grade twelve have the reading and writing skills necessary for success in school and beyond.

Every Student Counts Act (ESCA) (S. 767 / H.R. 1419)
ESCA would require all states to calculate their graduation rates using the same formula and set a graduation rate goal of 90 percent for all students and disadvantaged populations. This legislation would codify and strengthen regulations developed in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Education that requires states to use a single, accurate graduation rate calculation; establish graduation rate goals; and set annual growth targets.

Secondary School Reform Act (SSRA) (S. 1306)
The SSRA would foster innovation and reform in underperforming high schools and the middle schools that feed into them in order to ensure that students graduate with a high school diploma and the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Specifically, the bill would create a grant program that allows a high-need school district in partnership with an external partner to implement effective secondary school reform strategies implementing district and school specific reform models.

Graduation Promise Act (GPA) (S. 1177 / H.R. 778)
The GPA is authorized at “such sums as may be necessary” in the Senate and $2.5 billion in the House for new funding to turn around low-performing high schools. The GPA would provide money to districts and states in order to implement effective, research-based reforms tailored to low-performing schools’ specific needs.

Success in the Middle Act (S. 833 / H.R. 1547)
The Success in the Middle Act is the first school improvement bill specifically directed at the middle grades. This legislation would authorize $100 million a year in formula grants for states to improve low-performing schools that contain middle grades.

Education for Tomorrow's Jobs Act (S. 1686 / H.R. 3154)
The Education for Tomorrow's Jobs Act would combine rigorous college preparation with workplace experience in an effort to improve student engagement, academic achievement, and success after high school.

Introduced in the 111th U.S. Congress—Reintroduction Pending for the 112th

Secondary School Innovation Fund Act (S. 968 / H.R. 2239)
The Secondary School Innovation Fund Act would authorize $500 million to support partnerships for creating innovative programs and models in secondary schools to increase student achievement and prepare students for success in postsecondary education and the workplace.