National PTA issued the following statement applauding family engagement provisions in the ESEA reauthorization.
Yesterday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed the Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013, legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), aimed at improving areas of No Child Left Behind.
National PTA applauds the inclusion of family engagement provisions in ESEA. The legislation would build local and state capacity for effective family engagement in education by using research-based practices. It also maintains and improves the Parent Information and Resource Centers Program (PIRC) – the sole federal program dedicated to family engagement.
“We know that research supports the fact that family engagement equals greater student success. Recognizing the importance of family engagement in ESEA is a critical first step in ensuring a sound partnership between families, schools and the community to increase student success. Parents must be considered valuable stakeholders if we are serious about accomplishing meaningful and sustainable education reform,” said Betsy Landers, National PTA President.
Since 2007, Congress has failed families, students and educators by delaying a comprehensive reauthorization of the law. National PTA lauds the commitment of Congress to move reauthorization legislation forward this summer, and urges Members of Congress to work together in a bipartisan manner to put the needs of children first.