WASHINGTON, D.C. – – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, that heard testimony from Kathleen Straus, President of the Michigan State Board of Education, and other witnesses concerning current and prospective flexibility under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The Congressman is chairman of the subcommittee.

Another witness at the hearing was Jack Jennings, President of the Center on Education Policy (CEP), who discussed a CEP study released this week that found that student achievement on reading and math tests has improved since NCLB was signed into law more than five years ago.

“We must do everything possible to ensure that our education system best serves our children, including reauthorizing and improving No Child Left Behind,” Congressman Kildee said.  “Today’s hearing was an important step in that process.  My subcommittee gathered critical input from educators from Michigan and around the country about how to improve NCLB and also heard that student achievement on state reading and math tests has increased since the bill was enacted.”

The following witnesses testified at today’s hearing:

• Jack Jennings, President of the Center on Education Policy, discussed a CEP study released this week that found that student achievement on reading and math tests has improved since NCLB was signed into law more than five years ago.

• Rick Melmer, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education, talked about the need for flexibility for rural areas under NCLB.

• Kathleen Straus, President of the Michigan State Board of Education, presented the Board’s recommendations for reauthorization of NCLB, including the need for more flexibility for states in implementing the law.

• Carol Johnson, Superintendent of the Memphis (TN) City Schools, testified in favor of more flexibility in the results for schools that do not meet state achievement goals under NCLB.

• Chester E. Finn, Jr., President of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, recommended more autonomy for states to decide how to meet NCLB’s student achievement goals.

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