Press Releases

This week, many Washington parents are receiving letters from school districts about their schools’ failure to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Under NCLB, schools’ AYP status this year is based on whether 100 percent of students pass the state reading and math assessments—a goal that is simply unattainable. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement today about these letters and the flawed federal policy that categorizes most schools in Washington as failing:

“It’s wrong to send the message to parents and students that nearly all schools in Washington are failing – they are not. To the contrary, most schools in our state are performing extraordinarily well, even while facing major resource challenges, rigorous new academic standards, and implementation of a new state assessment.

“The federally-mandated letters describing our schools as ‘failing’ reflect nothing about the actual quality of education in Washington. Rather, what they demonstrate is that the one-size-fits-all accountability system created under No Child Left Behind is irrevocably flawed and must be replaced. I have long called for Congress to reauthorize this outdated law, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure our federal education policy works for Washington’s students, educators, and school districts.

“In classrooms throughout the 1^st District and across Washington state, teachers are doing incredible work to educate our kids and prepare them to succeed after graduation. Now is the time for Congress to put this important work first by replacing NCLB with a system that meaningfully closes the achievement gap and helps all kids reach their full potential.”

In June, DelBene joined other members of Washington’s Congressional delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Education Department asking that the letter requirement be waived.