WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. introduced a series of amendments to the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 to scale back the federal government’s role in education and return the decision making power to parents, educators and state and local officials.
Dr. Cassidy helped secure language to block the Obama Administration from coercing states into adopting Common Core standards. This will forbid the federal government from intervening in a state’s education standards, curricula, and assessments through the use of incentives, mandates, grants, waivers or any other form of manipulation.
Dr. Cassidy is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and is chairman of the Senate Dyslexia Caucus. A list of amendments is below.
Dr. Cassidy offered the following statement:
“Empowering parents, teachers and students starts by tailoring learning curriculums to students’ needs, not government demands.”
Cassidy Amendment
To allow states and local educational agencies funding to train teachers, principals, and other school leaders on understanding and identifying the early indicators of students with dyslexia and to conduct evidence-based early evaluation and interventions for students with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.
Eliminating Unnecessary Assessments
Introduced with Sen. Baldwin (D-WI) to give states more control over their assessment systems by allowing states to conduct audits of state and local assessment systems to eliminate unnecessary assessments. States can design more sensible systems that align with standards.
Access to Accelerated Learning
Introduced with Sen. Franken (D-MN) to cover part or all of the costs of accelerated learning examinations (AP, IB tests) for low income students, and increase the number of teachers and students in high need schools that participate in accelerated learning courses, dual enrollment programs, and early college high school courses.
Reauthorizing 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21stCCLC) Program
Co-sponsor of the bill introduced by Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) to strengthen afterschool and enrichment programs to help ensure students have a safe place for extracurricular activities. It also allows working parents to stay at work with a better peace of mind, knowing their children are in a safe place.
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