Legislators Seek $3.5 Billion for School Construction

An Update from the National School Boards Association: Urge Your U.S. Representatives to Co-Sponsor H.R. 6239—Web Extra

Please urge your U.S. representatives to become a co-sponsor of H.R. 6239, a bill to freeze sanctions imposed on schools that fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) until Congress has fully reauthorized NCLB. You may send an email or view talking points to make a phone call on NSBA's Legislative Action Center.

The schools previously identified as in need of improvement will continue to meet their current obligations and interventions, but they will be spared the consequences of escalating sanctions--sanctions that would not apply to many schools should Congress fix the problems that an NCLB reauthorization bill is intended to address.

H.R. 6239 was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R- MO-6) and co-sponsored by Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN-1).

NSBA endorses HR 6239, which is consistent with actions taken by the National School Boards Association Delegate Assembly in April 2008. We continue to support the broad goals of NCLB to improve the academic achievement of every student. However, after six years of implementation, we are fully aware of the flawed accountability system which has resulted in the misidentification of schools and mandated costly sanctions that have proven to have little if any effect on improved student achievement. Having recognized the flawed accountability system, schools should not be penalized, and Congress should move quickly to provide some relief for our schools and school districts until the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) can be completed when the new Congress convenes in January 2009.