U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Bergen, is co-sponsoring HR 5709, the No Child Left Behind Improvements Act of 2006, which mirrors 40 recommendations made by the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

HR 5709 addresses flexibility in testing and reporting, as well as sanctions for non-public schools that receive federal Title 1 funds. Rep. Don Young, a Republican from Alaska and a former teacher, introduced the proposal this summer. 

Flexibility in Testing Under the proposal, states would have more flexibility in using alternate assessments for students who are not proficient in English and could administer tests to them more than once within a school year. The legislation would also allow schools to use the higher scores when calculating and reporting the performance of subgroups.

In addition, the bill would allow states to withhold Title 1 support to non-public schools under two criteria: If their Title 1 students meet Adequate Yearly Progress goals; and if they perform at lower levels than their peers in area public schools for three or more years.

Rothman said he supported NCLB’s initial goals. However, he cited problems with the law’s current “one size fits all” approach to implementation.

Not Accurate or Fair NJSBA and NSBA have voiced concerns about NCLB provisions that do not recognize the complex factors that influence student performance. Many local school boards continue to raise questions about the current accountability framework, which does not accurately or fairly assess student, school, or school district performance.

New Jersey’s Federal Relations Network delegates have been meeting with the state’s congressional representatives to discuss co-sponsorship of HR 5709.