On the recordFebruary 26, 2015
I thank my colleagues for this amendment, although I must oppose it. This amendment adds back specific Federal requirements for paraprofessionals. These provisions place too much emphasis on a teacher's credentials, degrees, and licensing. As a result, schools have come to value a teacher's resume over his or her ability to increase student achievement, i.e., their effectiveness. The elimination of these requirements in the Student Success Act does not prohibit States or local school districts from having requirements for teachers and paraprofessionals, but certainly, it is not the job of the Federal Government to tell States and locals what those requirements are. Because of that, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.
