The state senate’s education committee has endorsed the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The committee yesterday eliminated provisions in a house bill that would have allowed municipalities to opt out of the new federal education guidelines.
NHPR's Dan Gorenstein reports.
TO PUT IT Simply, Republican Senator Jane O'Hearn embraces the NEW FEDERAL EDUCATION LAW, No Child Left Behind.
She SAYS SHE wholeheartedly believes THE LAW’S increased testing, teaching goals, sanctions, and increased federal funding - will LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND.
That's why she amended the House-passed bill that allowed local schools to opt out of FEDERAL requirements if WASHINGTON failS to fully fund the program.
O'Hearn doesn't question sufficient funds will be available.
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:00 I believe my amendment changes it to the postive, that the state thinks that the idea of NCLB is the right way to go, reform is needed, we will accept the federal dollars to follow the programs we need to do.
As well intended as NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MAY BE, Republican Representative Neal Kurk says he is worried about unintended costs.
THAT’S WHY HE SUPPORTED THE HOUSE BILL THAT ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REJECT THE PLAN.
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1:06 the purpose behind HB 786 is very simple. It's to make sure that the costs of NCLB are borne by the federal gov. and not by local property tax payers, and state of NH. That's the essence of it.
KURK AND OTHER HOUSE LAWMAKERS WORRY THAT THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT WILL BE ANOTHER UNFUNDED FEDERAL MANDATE.
YESTERDAY HE CITED AS ONE EXAMPLE THAT The federal government REQUIRES MORE QUALIFIED TEACHERS AIDES.
BUT HE SAYS WASHINGTON DOESN’T CONSIDER THE COST TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Senator O'Hearn trusts adequate funding will be made available.
But, her amendment Prohibits using THE STATE’S general fund TO comply with No Child Left Behind.
Democratic Senator Sylvia Larson, a member of the Senate Education Committee, OPPOSES O'Hearn's plan.
SHE SAYS IT safeguards state spending but leaves local taxpayers in the lurch.
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:44 I think the local school districts will have a real concern, and a valid concern that they will be left holding the bag, and locals will have to pick up the tab for multiple tests, all the ramifications for NCLB as it affects a local school district.
The bill moves to the full Senate next week.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
