Bonamici Opposes House Bill to Reauthorize ESEA

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) voted against H.R. 5 – the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – emphasizing that the bill does not adequately address the problems of No Child Left Behind.

“When it passed 50 years ago, the ESEA was intended to provide equal access to a quality education for all students,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “This landmark law must be reauthorized and updated to strengthen the focus on its original purpose of equity, but the bill passed today in the House would do much more harm than good. Instead of providing students with more opportunities and support, H.R. 5 restricts funding and shifts resources away from students who need them most. Congress still has a lot of work to do to successfully reauthorize ESEA.”

Congresswoman Bonamici emphasized that there are some positive elements in H.R. 5, including her SMART Act amendment that aims to address over-testing in the nation’s classrooms.

“Most agree that too much testing has been counter-productive in our classrooms,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “My amendment would provide states with the resources to conduct audits to eliminate unnecessary and redundant tests. Although assessments are important to help determine progress and to provide feedback to teachers, too much focus on testing impedes teaching and learning. I am pleased my amendment was included; however other changes made to ESEA in H.R. 5 were too harmful and I voted to oppose the bill.”