Washington, D.C. — Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP, Committee held a hearing on teachers in the context of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA:
Today’s hearing took a serious look at better supporting and preparing teachers and school leaders. It was encouraging to hear educators and state education leaders underscore the need for statewide annual assessments in a reauthorized ESEA and the need for multiple measures to inform instruction and professional development. Given this feedback from those on the educational front lines, it is imperative that Chairman Lamar Alexander’s (R-TN) current proposal to rewrite the ESEA do more than write states a blank check. There is an appropriate federal role to increase targeted investments aimed at raising the bar for those entering the teaching profession and to support recruiting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce.
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.
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