The Alliance’s Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization

On behalf of America’s secondary school students, and in particular for the more than six million who are most at risk of academic failure, the Alliance for Excellent Education (the Alliance) calls on Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that includes the below recommendations. These policies will build on the ideals of No Child Left Behind and help to lead the nation toward the goal of “every child a college- and career-ready graduate.”

1.) Establish graduating all students from high school on time and ready for college and careers as the goal for the U.S. education system.  

2.) Hold states, districts, and schools accountable for graduating all students from high school and getting them ready for college and careers.

3.) Shift away from a one-size-fits-all school improvement system prescribed by the federal government to one that supports state and district efforts to customize reform strategies that are based on data and tailored to the unique needs of low-performing middle and high schools.

4.) Strengthen the federal investment in improving low-performing middle and high schools and in helping ensure all students  graduate from high school ready for college and careers.

Additional information and details on the Alliance’s legislative priorities and legislation that it supports:

• Press Statement: Gov. Bob Wise Comments on Senate Legislation to Overhaul No Child Left Behind (October 20, 2011)
• Press Statement: Alliance for Excellent Education Offers Recommendations on How ESEA Reauthorization Can Better Prepare Students for College and Careers (March 31, 2010)
• Publication: "Reinventing the Federal Role in Education: Supporting the Goal of College and Career Readiness for All Students" (July 10, 2009)
• Key Pieces of Secondary School Legislation
• Read Governor Wise's letter to the chairman and ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee outlining the Alliance's recommendations at http://www.all4ed.org/files/ESEACoverLetter.pdf.
• Read the Alliance's complete recommendations at http://www.all4ed.org/files/ESEARecs.pdf.
• Read all publications related to ESEA/NCLB.
• Visit the Alliance's ESEA Reauthorization portal.