By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery is working to pass The Student Success Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would repeal much of the Bush administration’s ‘No Child Left Behind Act, including “AYP,” (annual yearly progress) and the arbitrary division of teachers into “Highly Qualified” versus not…..often based on post graduate degrees rather than on superior performance.
On Monday U.S. Representative Martha Roby spoke at a news conference at a Washington, D.C. school rallying support for The Student Success Act. Congresswoman Roby said, “Politicians have tried for decades to fix our schools with a ‘Washington-knows-best approach,’ but this top-down scheme hasn’t improved student achievement, and our schools are bogged down in more federal mandates and red tape than ever before. Teachers, principals, superintendents and parents I talk to all agree: one size does not fit all when it comes to education. They are frustrated with endless regulations and red tape from Washington, and they need relief to be able to do make sure students are getting the instruction they need. The Student Success Act repeals burdensome mandates like ‘AYP,’ and returns more authority back to the states.”
Representative Roby joined members of the House leadership including House Majority Leader Mickey Cantor (R) from Virginia, House Education and Work Committee Chairman Todd Rokita (R) from Minnesota, Rep. John Kline (R) from Indiana, and Rep. Luke Messner (R) from Indiana at Two Rivers School for the event to draw attention to the Student Success Act.
Rep. Roby said, “There are some amazing things happening at Two Rivers School. For me, it just demonstrates what can happen when we get government out of the way and give our educators the flexibility to innovate. Alabama currently doesn’t have charter schools, and that’s a policy choice only the state can make. However, I believe all public schools can benefit from the flexibility charter schools enjoy; flexibility which the Student Success Act offers.”
According to the release by Rep. Roby’s office H.R. 5, The Student Success Act would reform current education law: by repealing the “Adequate Yearly Progress,” or “AYP” mandate, and federal “Highly Qualified Teacher” requirements while also consolidating existing K-12 education programs into a new Local Academic Flexible Grant providing funding flexibility to states and school districts to support local priorities that improve student achievement.
H.R. 5 is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives as early as this week.
Congresswoman Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District.
