College and Career Readiness, Closing Achievement Gaps Would Be Key Priorities of Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the “Growth to Excellence Act” today in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, respectively. The bill would make critical improvements to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by pushing states to set ambitious, but attainable goals to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps. Any bill worthy of support from education advocates must have these essential components.
The Growth to Excellence Act represents a strong step towards fulfilling aspirations to provide each student in America with an excellent education by bringing growth in student learning to the forefront. This bill would empower states to set accountability goals within broad parameters that take into account student proficiency and growth, as well as enable states to utilize adaptive assessments that more accurately measure a student’s capabilities.
Additionally, the Growth to Excellence Act would:
- Require states to set rigorous college- and career-ready standards;
- Empower states to set goals for student achievement based on test score growth and high school graduation rates;
- Ensure that states develop interventions for schools that do not make progress in raising student achievement;
- Continue to hold states accountable by ensuring that they set academic performance targets for minority and low-income students, English language learners and students with disabilities;
- Provide recognition for top performing schools and districts while encouraging the replication of their best practices; and
- Permit states to employ adaptive assessments that more accurately reflect student progress over time.
Democrats for Education Reform is grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Congressman Polis and Senators Udall and Bennet. We see the Growth to Excellence Act as an essential component of reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.