Washington – Business Roundtable, an association of business leaders representing every sector of the economy, issued the following statement today on House passage of H.R. 5, The Student Success Act, legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

“America’s K-12 education system must ensure all high school graduates are ready for college or workforce training and employment, and reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is critical to this goal,” said Business Roundtable President John Engler. “While many parts of H.R. 5 align with the kinds of reforms Business Roundtable believes are necessary to strengthen education in the United States, the bill does not go far enough to ensure accountability. Without adequate measures to ensure student performance, postsecondary educators and employers cannot trust that a high school diploma means college and career readiness. Business Roundtable members remain committed to advocating for a reauthorized ESEA that will ensure all students are prepared to work and ready to succeed.”

Prior to today’s vote, Business Roundtable sent a letter to House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline expressing its concerns with H.R. 5. Click here to read a copy of the letter.

Business Roundtable’s priorities for ESEA reauthorization include:

• Internationally benchmarked state standards and assessments in reading, math and science;
• State and local accountability for all students and all schools;
• Support for effective teachers and school leaders;
• More choices of high-quality schools for parents and students; and
• Elimination of costly and ineffective or redundant programs and regulations.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved an ESEA reauthorization bill last month – Strengthening America’s Schools Act (S. 1094). Click here to read Business Roundtable’s statement on S. 1094.

Click here to learn more about Business Roundtable’s education and workforce priorities.