Bingaman Meets with President Obama to Discuss New Version of Education Law

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman went to the White House to meet with President Obama and three of his Senate colleagues to discuss plans to re-write the No Child Left Behind Act, which has expiree. Bingaman, a long time member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, was tapped by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) -- the Committee's chairman -- to help negotiate the legislation.

"I was glad to meet with the President today. He is clearly anxious to make improvements to this law and I look forward to making that happen," Bingaman said.

"I hope we will be able to give states and school districts more flexibility, but maintain focus on providing educational opportunities for all students - regardless of race, income level, language background, or disability," Bingaman continued.

Among the issues Bingaman hopes to focus on are:

* Support innovative grant programs, but ensure that New Mexican students benefit. In times of state fiscal challenges, federal appropriations are particularly critical;
* Improve teacher and principal preparation programs, professional development, and evaluation systems;
* Support education technology to provide students with skills for the 21st century economy;
* Focus on low-performing high schools, including "dropout factories" that graduate less than 60 percent of their students;
* Support parent involvement and participation in their child's education.

Source