Current Student Success Act Slated to Sacrifice Accountability, Oversight Authority in Education System
Organization Supports Alternate Amendments
July 25, 2013
Contact: Paloma Zuleta, pzuleta at lulac.org, (202) 812-4477
Washington, D.C. – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider the Student Success Act, H.R. 5, which would eliminate state accountability and oversight authority measures in the country’s education system. In a recent letter to the House of Representatives, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) expressed opposition to the bill which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
“The Student Success Act largely forfeits federal accountability and oversight authority to the states, eliminating critical federal accountability provisions necessary to addressing achievement gaps in underserved populations, like Latino students,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “In addition, we are particularly concerned that the bill doesn’t streamline funding for resources to meet the needs for diverse populations that include migrant students, English Language Learners, neglected and delinquent children, rural students, Native American children, and others.”
In the letter to Congress, LULAC specifically supports a substitute amendment which was introduced by Ranking Member George Miller. The substitute amendment contains the strong federal oversight that H.R. 5 lacks, along with key accountability systems that will ensure all students particularly those in underserved communities graduate high school well prepared for both college and career. These provisions will ensure that their progress is being measured and will require that schools focus their resources to close the education gap.
To read LULAC’s latest letter on H.R. 5, the Student Success Act and the various amendments, click here.
To read LULAC’s letter to Chairman Kline on H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, click here.
To read LULAC’s letter to Ranking Member Miller on the substitute amendment, click here.
In addition, LULAC, along with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), cosigned a Hispanic Education Coalition letter expressing opposition to H.R. 5. To read it click here.
About LULAC:
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org
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