Late yesterday the House of Representatives, by a vote of 359-64, approved the conference report to S. 1177, the “Every Student Succeeds Act.” The bill reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for the next four years and replaces the “No Child Left Behind” Act. Most importantly, the legislation includes multiple sources of funding to support improved instruction in K-12 history and civics. A summary of the bill’s history-related provisions can be found on National Coalition for History’s website.
The ESEA reauthorization bill now goes to the Senate. That body is expected to vote on it sometime the week of December 7.
The National Coalition for History, of which AHA is a member, asks historians once again to contact their US Senators to urge their support for the bill. Here is a link to the legislative alert on NCH’s website:
https://historycoalition.org/2015/12/03/urge-the-senate-to-pass-the-every-student-succeeds-act/
Restoring federal funding for K-12 history programs is a major accomplishment for the National Coalition for History, especially in light of the fact that scores of other programs administered by the US Department of Education were eliminated in this bill. Thanks to all who have responded to legislative alerts over the past five years since Teaching American History grants were eliminated.
The White House said yesterday that President Obama will sign the bill if it passes the Senate. The bill is almost over the finish line, so it is important that you contact your Senators this one last time.
This post first appeared on AHA Today.
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