The Post is reporting that a bipartisan group of House members is going to begin work on an NCLB reauthorization bill. The article doesn't have too many details--we just know that the full committee and important subcommittee chairs and rnking members will hold hearings and then begin work.
The attempt at bipartisanship is good, but I'm not so optimistic about how this process will play out.
First, this law is so big and so contentious that I'm not sure that there is any comprehensive set of ideas that could be welded together and get a majority in both houses.
Second, if there is such a set of consensus ideas, its hallmark is probably "scrap accountability." The eventual legislation could gut NCLB and the progress it's made.
Third, if it wants to maintain some level of control over the situation, the Department needs to get its proposal on the table immediately. There's no telling what direction Congress will take after hearings. A reauthorization "blueprint" or "framework" from the administration could do much to provide parameters for the debate.
No one should think that this announcement guarantees a reauthorization bill any time soon. It is setting up a process in the House. The senate process will be a whole other story. And we haven't even gotten into the substance of the legislation yet.
This was a fine first step. But 26.199 miles remain.
--Andy Smarick