Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization Update: March 2009

Education GRO, in partnership with the Public Interest, Science and Practice Directorates, developed recommendations to improve the “No Child Left Behind Act”, which is set for reauthorization during the 111th Congress. The “No Child Left Behind Act” expired in 2007 and APA has promoted a set of changes to that legislation since the first attempt to reauthorize the law during the 110th Congress. The recommendations cover such issues/areas as growth model, English language learners, teacher professional development, elementary and secondary school counseling and parental involvement. Education GRO, working with Education Directorate and GRO colleagues will reconsider these recommendations and include others that are relevant to the education debate in light of changing times and changing needs.

Education GRO also submitted a comprehensive list of APA members to the House Education and Labor Committee, as well as the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, in anticipation of upcoming hearings on the reauthorization of “No Child Left Behind.” We will continue to work with the House Committee, as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, to promote relevant psychological research and psychologists with research backgrounds and expertise in teaching and learning during the hearing process.