Despite earlier predictions, it appears as though Congress will not move bills reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind this year.

It is unlikely either the House or Senate will have enough time to push through reauthorization bills before their holiday break. There simply is not enough time to meet the 2007 deadline and there is not solid consensus between the parties on what key elements of the law should remain and what should change. Despite concerted efforts on the part of both the Senate and House committee leadership, no bill has emerged to be heard in either committee.

Along with the lack of consensus between the parties, no frontrunner candidate for president from either party has articulated a comprehensive education agenda. Ironically, three members of the Senate Education and Labor Committee are running for president: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Chris Dodd.

Another factor in the stall is that the National Education Association and California Teachers Association are creating a campaign to defeat any effort to move a bill that includes a merit pay proposal, even if it’s voluntary for the states and school districts.

The House “discussion draft” included a voluntary merit pay proposal under the Title 2 reforms. NEA and CTA flooded Congress with correspondence and lobbied against the Miller/McKeon discussion draft. Democrats have no interest in giving President Bush a win on education when there is such a divide on the war in Iraq.

President Bush has also been unwilling to fully fund ESEA/NCLB, which has angered Democrats. For Republicans, there are those unhappy with the excessive interference into states’ rights under NCLB, but also concern about weakening the school choice and tutoring provisions.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chair of the House Health, Education and Labor Committee, has vowed to continue in 2008 to move forward to build consensus in Congress.

ACSA met and discussed the goals of ranking Republican Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., on the House Committee and he too has vowed he does not want to wait until after the election to work toward consensus.

Sen. Kennedy’s office has also vowed to continue to work on reforms.

A key factor will be who wins the presidential primary in February. The lead candidates will have incentive to develop their own education platforms.

If the House and Senate committee leadership can continue to build consensus on at least some of the issues and they can work closely with each candidate, there may be some headway next year, at least on the principles of what the reauthorization should include.

ACSA will continue to forge partnerships with both parties in Congress and will convey its priorities to the presidential candidates. Waiting until 2009 or 2010 to work toward the goals for change is just not an option.

ACSA will keep its members abreast of the latest developments.