ASCD Educators Support White House's ESEA Blueprint
Obama Administration's Plan Aligns with Key Components of ASCD's 2010 Legislative Agenda
Alexandria, VA (3/18/10)—ASCD's 170,000 educators—including teachers and school and district administrators—stand in support of key elements of the Obama administration's blueprint for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
"The Department of Education's ESEA blueprint focuses on the right priorities for transforming our nation's education system and is consistent with the principles outlined in ASCD's 2010 Legislative Agenda (PDF)," said ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter.
"We are especially encouraged by the administration's emphasis on effective teachers and leaders for every classroom and school; a complete education that prepares students for postsecondary success; and services and supports that lead to successful, safe, and healthy students."
Since 2007, ASCD has advocated for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to education that promotes the development of the whole child. The educators from across the country who developed ASCD's current legislative agenda believe that it's time for federal education policy to support this whole child approach, helping to ensure that all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. They consider the ESEA blueprint to be a good first step.
- Healthy and Safe. The blueprint proposes providing support to states, school districts, and their partners to implement strategies that improve school safety and promote students' physical and mental health, which is consistent with ASCD's legislative agenda. ASCD's agenda also calls for a comprehensive set of indicators that more fully capture information about a student's overall health and well-being in school. Under the administration's proposal, grantees would be required to track and report such data.
- Engaged. ASCD believes students must be exposed to wide-ranging and relevant learning experiences. Similarly, the Obama administration proposes providing resources to strengthen the teaching and learning of arts, foreign languages, history and civics, financial literacy, and other subjects. The blueprint also outlines support for the creation of innovative models, such as full-service community schools, redesigned school days or years, and opportunities for experiential learning.
- Supported. Students need teachers and administrators who take a personal interest in their success and who are equipped to address their diverse and evolving needs. The administration recognizes this and wants to require (1) statewide definitions of effective teachers and principals that take into account student growth and other measures and (2) district evaluation systems that provide meaningful feedback to teachers and principals and inform professional development. The administration also shares ASCD's recognition of the need for improved teacher and principal preparation, high-quality professional development, and career ladders that increase retention.
- Challenged. ASCD's legislative agenda makes clear that we need an accountability framework that evaluates students and schools using multiple indicators of performance, including student academic growth. The ESEA blueprint proposes a system that tracks individual student growth and school progress over time. Both ASCD's agenda and the ESEA blueprint also call for resources that increase student access to accelerated learning opportunities including advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs, dual enrollment, and gifted and talented programs, especially for students in high-need schools.
Although the ESEA blueprint shows promise in supporting the whole child approach at the federal level, "numerous details related to funding and implementation still need to be determined," Carter cautioned. "And it remains to be seen how Congress will incorporate these priorities into proposed legislation."
Educators who want to receive regular policy updates from Washington, D.C., and help shape education initiatives for students and schools can join ASCD's Educator Advocates.
Contact Information
- David Griffith, policy director, at 1-703-575-5621 or by e-mail
- Barbara Michelman, communications director, at 1-703-575-5764 or by e-mail