Hoekstra Follows Up On Hearing With Education Secretary Arne Duncan

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has sent a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan with additional requests for information following a hearing with the House Committee on Education and Labor on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

"Since the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Michigan education officials and local school district administrators have voiced their dissatisfaction with the unfunded mandates and reporting requirements included in the law," Hoekstra wrote. "The cost of complying with the mandates has negatively impacted their general education budgets. It not only affects my home state but every state."

Hoekstra questioned how much No Child Left Behind has cost states and school districts to comply with its unfunded mandates and how much the new mandates included in any reauthorization bill will cost. Hoekstra further encouraged Secretary Arne to provide states, local schools and parents with the freedom to succeed.

"Congress and the administration have an opportunity to reverse course concerning education policy following the disastrous results of No Child Left Behind," Hoekstra said. "I encourage those in positions of academic leadership to listen to those impacted and create the flexibility necessary for schools to succeed and prepare their children for a bright future."

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