Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed, by a vote of 85-12, the Every Student Succeeds Act, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

“I was proud to vote in favor of the Every Student Succeeds Act, a historic reauthorization bill that does away with the punitive, prescriptive provisions of No Child Left Behind once and for all. This legislation strongly supports educational excellence and accountability by empowering state and local education leaders, giving them increased authority – and responsibility – for setting educational goals, fixing failing schools, and closing achievement gaps.

“Notably this legislation will help districts train school administrators in Social and Emotional Learning concepts by providing access to funding for local education agencies – language I fought for during the reauthorization process. This measure will help schools across Connecticut foster healthy learning environments where students understand the value of managing their emotions, resolving conflicts effectively, and other skills essential for success in school and beyond. For countless Connecticut students, this legislation provides the promise of better performance through heightened expectations for our schools.”

In November, Blumenthal urged his colleagues drafting the legislation to include language in the final bill that enables funding to be used for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. Earlier this year, Blumenthal introduced the Jesse Lewis Empowering Educators Act, named for Jesse Lewis a six years old who was tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which would to provide powerful tools and training to support students’ social and emotional learning.

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