John Kline: “When No Child Left Behind was signed into law more than a decade ago, it was heralded as groundbreaking, and certainly…”

“When No Child Left Behind was signed into law more than a decade ago, it was heralded as groundbreaking, and certainly in many ways it was. The expanded use of data helped superintendents, principals, and teachers pay more attention to the students with the greatest need. Parents now have more access to important information about the quality of teachers and schools, and some student achievement gaps have narrowed. However, hindsight is 20/20, and we can now clearly identify the law's weaknesses: The Adequate Yearly Progress accountability metric is a one-size- fits-all mandate that fails to provide schools any meaningful information about their performance; The law's Highly Qualified Teacher requirements value credentials over an educator's ability to motivate students in the classroom; Strict mandates and funding restrictions stunt the development of innovative local education programs. The Student Success Act will correct the mistakes of the past and provide States and school districts the flexibility they need to put more children on the path to a brighter future. Flexibility, Mr. Chairman, I might say, has been begged for, demanded, year after year since this law passed. Superintendent after superintendent and principal after principal has said to me: I don't need money here, but I've got it. I need the money over here, and I can't spend it.…”