The reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 comes at a time of significant economic and global change and provides a critical opportunity for all levels of government to renew our commitment to high standards and partner together to strengthen education. In today’s competitive economy, our education system must work even harder to prepare students to be successful in work, life, postsecondary education and in an ever and rapidly changing world. Every student must be prepared for lifelong learning. Much is at stake.

In this effort, NCLB provided an important framework for states, schools and parents to focus on student achievement and ensure our nation’s competitiveness. However, work remains to achieve America‘s education goals for every student.

Related Materials:

• State and Local Officials Urge ESEA Reauthorization
  NGA, as part of the State and Local Governance Coalition, urged Congress to complete the long overdue reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/ No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  The letter is signed by the executive directors of nine state and local associations.

• State and Local Governance Coalition Sends Letter to the Hill on ESEA
  NGA, as part of the State and Local Governance Coalition, urged Congressional leadership to reauthorize of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The letter, signed by executive directors of ten state and local associations, recognizes the need to make the nation’s education system a “must pass” legislative priority. With bills passed by committees in both the House and the Senate, urgent floor action is needed to accomplish reauthorization before the 112th Congress adjourns.
   
• State and Local Governance Coalition Letter Pushing for Long-Term Fix and Reauthorization of ESEA
  February 6, 2012 letter (from the executive directors of five state and local government groups – NGA, NCSL, CSG, NACo, and NSBA) to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Mike Enzi, and House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline and Ranking Member George Miller urging Congress to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and enact legislation that would reframe the federal-state-local partnership before the next school year begins.
   
• Governors Submit Comments to Department of Education  
  The nation's governors submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to the April 23rd Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the No Child Left Behind Act. NGA's comments focus on the proposed regulations as related to a common high school graduation rate and the use of that rate for accountability purposes.