Although a new federal education law gives more power to the states, Alabama Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2) is still highly suspicious of meddling from Washington. In a letter written to Alabama officials tasked with implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the North Alabama Representative asked them to notify her of any “troublesome activity.”
The plain language of the text prohibits the federal government from using waivers or other incentives to force states to adopt certain curricula, but Roby fears that Washington will overstep its bounds. She specifically asked “that you please keep me apprised of any attempt on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education to disregard the intent of this new law and continue its coercive practices.”
The ESSA passed in December 2015 and replaced its unpopular predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The law modified, but did not eliminate, provisions relating to the periodic standardized tests given to students. Like the No Child Left Behind Act, ESSA is a reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which established the American federal government’s expanded role in funding public education. Holistically, many conservatives viewed the change as a win because of the transfer of many duties from the federal DOE to state governments.
Governor Robert Bentley (R-AL) created the state’s implementation team in March which consists of 32 superintendents, principals, school board members and other education officials tasked with creating a state education plan which must be finalized by December.
Roby says that she simply wants to ensure “our strict prohibitions against federal coercion are followed.” As one of Alabama’s representatives in D.C., she wants to do her part to hold Secretary John King and his Department of Education accountable.
“Oversight of federal agencies is a critical role of Congress, and I am best equipped to hold officials accountable when I am informed of troublesome activity,” she wrote.”The law is now clear: the federal role in education is to support and inform state and local decisions, not to dictate them. Should federal partners you work with in the implementation process fail to adhere to this clear directive from Congress, I want to know about it.”
Alabama’s new education plan under the ESSA will be completed December 1.
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