Democrats Divided on ‘No Child’ Reauthorization

Democrats Divided on ‘No Child’ Reauthorization
By CQ Staff | 8:18 AM; Oct. 15, 2007
By Michael Sandler, CQ Staff


California Democrat George Miller has clashed publicly with Republicans and the White House in recent weeks over his vision for renewing a landmark 2002 education law.

But an equally precarious fight is shaping up within his own caucus.

Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, is hearing negative feedback behind the scenes from several Democrats. They are troubled by the discussion draft he circulated in late August that will probably serve as the basis for the legislation.

Some of the strongest comments have come from Albert R. Wynn, D-Md., who sent Miller a letter expressing “strong concerns regarding the direction we appear to be heading in reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act.” Wynn outlined four areas in the draft that did not meet with his approval, including testing requirements that have become the main area of disagreement over the law.

“If the bill ultimately presented to the House does not reflect significant changes . . . I will have difficulty supporting its passage,” Wynn said in the letter.

Wynn sent copies of the Oct. 4 letter to all members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and that group subsequently scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue.

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/10/democrats_divided_on_no_child_1.html

"Sixty-four Republicans are supporting legislation (HR 1539) sponsored by Michigan Republican Peter Hoekstra that, in Hoekstra’s words, would make the law voluntary."

Best idea yet. Of course I think the damn law should be thrown out entirely but this is almost as good.

Everyone hates it. Teachers hate it. Kids hate it. Parents hate it. School administrations hate it. Shoot it dead.