All four Northwest senators joined an overwhelming majority approving a new federal education law Wednesday.
Alder Elementary School teacher Katie Metko follows up a game of "Simon Says" by reading a fable to her kindergarten class.
Rob Manning / OPB
The "Every Student Succeeds Act" reduces the federal role in public education. That was heightened under the old "No Child Left Behind" law. The new law still requires annual testing, but it leaves much of the accountability up to states. Washington Sen. Patty Murray was one of the chief architects of the new education law. She spoke on the Senate floor, as the bill was poised to pass.
"Our bipartisan bill - the Every Student Succeeds Act - will end the one-size-fits-all mandates of No Child Left Behind," Murray said.
"It will reduce reliance on high-stakes testing, and it will help ensure that all students have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make."
Oregon's senior senator, Sen. Ron Wyden, spoke in favor of the bill, as well — particularly a provision he sponsored, aimed at supporting high schools with low graduation rates. Oregon had the lowest graduation rate of any state in 2013.
“This bill focuses specifically on helping students by raising graduation rates in Oregon and across the country,” Wyden said. “Helping teenagers stay at it and get through to graduation day is a critical step on a path to greater success throughout their lives."
The new education law passed the U.S. House by a big margin last week. It now heads to President Obama's desk for approval.