U.S. Chamber Urges Congress to Reauthorize No Child Left Behind Act

Accountability in Education Crucial to Students' Success

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Arthur Rothkopf testified today before a bicameral hearing held by the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee to urge its members to swiftly strengthen and renew the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

"Education is an issue that will define our global economic success-or failure-in the 21st century. We have an obligation to succeed not only for our kids, but for our country and our workers," said Chamber Senior Vice President Arthur Rothkopf. "We urge Congress to strengthen and reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act this year to ensure schools will have the right tools to prepare students to participate in America's future."

According to the Chamber, NCLB-which recently reached its 5th anniversary of enactment-has ushered in marked improvements in our nation's education system. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Education's long-term Nation's Report Card shows national student achievement in reading and math at all-time highs and the achievement gap closing in reading and math for low-income and minority students. But our nation has a long way to go, particularly for our high school students-an area which needs greater attention under NCLB.

"America needs a world-class education system. Students deserve it, parents demand it, and businesses require it to compete and win in the global economy," said Rothkopf.

Education reform is one of the Chamber's top priorities. The Chamber and the Business Roundtable have established the Business Coalition for Student Achievement to underscore the dramatic need for education reform at the K-12 level. On February 28, the Chamber issued Leaders and Laggards, a report that analyzed existing state-by-state data related to academic as well as key business metrics such as innovation, flexibility, and fiscal prudence.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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