Conference Report on S. 1177, Student Success Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his extraordinary leadership as the new ranking member on the Education and the Workforce Committee, bringing with him all of his commitment to education in our country as well as his knowledge of the connection of young people to our justice system and how to provide opportunities for them in the safest possible way. I thank Mr. Scott for his great leadership.

We are all very, very proud of you. I know your predecessor in this role, Mr. George Miller, would be as well.

I thank you, Chairman Kline, for your leadership as well and for enabling this bipartisan legislation to come to the floor. I salute the chairman and ranking member in the Senate as well.

Fifty years ago our Nation took a bold and historic step forward for educational opportunity, for the strength of our economy, and for the health of our democracy, which is based on an informed electorate, enacting the ESEA.

Today the Elementary and Secondary Education Act stands as one of the landmark victories in both the struggle for civil rights and the War on Poverty.

At the bill signing in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson, himself a former teacher, explained: ``No law I have signed or will ever sign means more to the future of America.'' President Johnson added: ``Education is the only valid passport from poverty.''

In addition to what it returns to the individual and enables that person to reach his or her aspirations, education brings much to our economy. In fact, nothing brings more to the Treasury of our country than investments in education, from early childhood education, K-12, which we are addressing today, higher education, postsecondary education, lifetime learning.

Indeed, the ESEA's commitment to expanding education access, especially to our most vulnerable students, has proven essential to bridging the gap between poverty and possibility for generations of Americans.

Yet, for the first time in our Nation's history, more than half of the students attending public school live in poverty. To close the opportunity gap, we must close the education gap that limits the future of so many children and communities.

Today we are thankful to be passing a bipartisan agreement that will strengthen the education of all of our children. It helps States to improve low-performing schools and empowers teachers and administrators with better training and support.

It targets funding to the most at-risk and needy students, with enhanced title I investments. It provides vital resources for English language learners and homeless youth.

It amplifies the voices of educators and parents, what we have always wanted, schools, a place where children can learn, teachers can teach, and parents can participate. It replaces high-stakes testing with State and local district flexibility.

We are bolstering our commitment to strong STEM, arts, and early education for children in every ZIP code.

In our area and other parts of the country, we call STEM STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, all of that reinforced in this legislation.

With these improvements in the ESEA authorization before us, it is no wonder that this agreement is supported by a far-ranging coalition, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the National Governors Association, the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, AFT and NEA, two leading teachers unions, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and many more.

We all agree that education is a national security issue. President Eisenhower taught us that. It is also an economic issue. It is one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time.

With this legislation, we help ensure that access to high-quality education is the right of every student.

I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this strong bipartisan reauthorization of the historic ESEA, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Once again I thank the distinguished chairman, Mr. Kline, and our ranking member, of whom we are very, very, proud as well, Mr. Scott.

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