The Senate on Wednesday voted to replace the 13-year-old No Child Left Behind law, returning to the states significant powers to determine how poorly performing schools should be improved and curbing the authority of the secretary of education.

The Senate in a 85-12 vote cleared legislation that will guide about $26 billion federal in spending annually from preschool through 12th grade. Already approved by the House last week, the bill now goes to President Barack Obama. The White House said he would sign the bill on Thursday.

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