This article has been updated to correct the summary of the Student Success Act, which previously read that the SSA would allow Title I funds to be given to charter schools. Charter schools already are able to receive Title I funds. The SSA would allow those funds to follow low-income students to schools outside the student’s home district.

Two Takes on Education Reform

The Student Success Act, a major Republican education reform bill that would reduce the federal government’s role in public education, passed the House. With 27 Republicans and all Democrats voting in opposition, it barely passed by a vote of 218–213. Four amendments were agreed to prior to passage, while eight were rejected. You can find summaries of some of the amendments below, or on the GovTrack bill summary page here.

The Every Child Achieves Act is a similar bill currently being considered by the Senate. Both bills would reform legislation created by the No Child Left Behind Act to reduce federal impact on educational policy, yet unlike the Student Success Act the Every Child Achieves Act has seen bipartisan support. Four amendments to the Every Child Achieves Act were voted on, with two accepted and two rejected. You can find summaries of amendments below, or in the GovTrack bill summary here.

Student Success Act (H.R. 5)

The Student Success Act is an education reform bill that would shift responsibility for student assessment and school accountability to states by reducing or eliminating federal education oversight, spending, and programs. The bill would create a federal grant for states and school districts called the Local Academic Flexible Grant. It would require 10 percent of this grant to support state and local programs that operate outside of traditional public school systems, such as charter schools. It would also permit Title 1 funds, which are federal grants given to local education agencies serving a high percentage of low income families, to follow low-income students to new schools. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which issued a supporting press release and a summary. The committee chairman, Rep. John Kline (R-MN2), sponsored the bill. Yet support is partisan, with Democratic member of the committee Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC12) issuing this opposing press release. The bill was passed in the House along with four amendments, and will move on to the Senate.

Amendments to H.R. 5 Accepted

H.Amdt 640 allows parents to opt their children out of state-issued tests for any reason. States may not include such students in calculating test participation rates. It was accepted by a vote of 251–178 with mostly Republicans voting in favor.

H.Amdt. 63 supports the use of digital learning programs through competitive grants to implement technology-based learning practices and programs in rural schools. It was accepted by a vote of 218–213, with support from all Democrats and 31 Republicans.

H.Amdt. 53 allows states to withdraw from the Common Core Standards or any other specific standards. It was accepted with a vote of 373–57. All opposing votes came from Democrats.

Amendments to H.R. 5 Rejected

H.Amdt. 64 would have authorized funds for federal grants to early-childhood development scholarships and compensation for qualified educators. It was rejected by a vote of 205–224. All opposing votes came from Republicans.

H.Amdt. 55 would have required federal assessment of the impact of school start times on student health and performance. It was rejected by a vote of 199–228, with support coming primarily from the Democrats.

Amendments to the Every Child Achieves Act:

S.Amdt. 2107 limits federal authority to create new regulations without Congressional approval. It was accepted by a vote of 56–41. 42 Democrats and 13 Republicans voted yea.

S.Amdt. 2139 would have allowed states to let federal funds for the education of disadvantaged children follow low-income students to the state-approved school they attend. It was rejected by a vote of 45–52. All supporting votes came from Republicans.

Department of Interior, Environment Appropriations

There were 17 votes on amendments to the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Two were accepted:

H.Amdt. 597 prohibited the use of funds for the President to make a public proclamation of a national monument in specified countries. It was accepted by a vote of 222–206. All supporting votes came from Republicans.

H.Amdt. 591 prohibited the use of funds to increase the rate of any royalty required to be paid to the United States for oil and gas produced on federal land. It was accepted by a vote of 231–198. All but one of the supporting votes came from Republicans.

Post Offices and Resolutions

Four bills and two resolutions were passed in the Senate. All four bills designated names for post offices. The resolutions congratulated the Dalai Lama on his 80th birthday and the United States Women’s National Team for winning the FIFA 2015 world cup. Two resolutions were passed in the House, calling to secure a negotiated agreement for the Tibetan people and expressing the sense of the House regarding Srebrenica.