October 26, 2023

Optimism For No Child Left Behind Rewrite As Ryan Takes House Gavel, Calls For Cooperation

Optimism for No Child Left Behind Rewrite As Ryan Takes House Gavel, Calls for Cooperation

Paul Ryan, the newly elected House Speaker, began his term by emphasizing the need for cooperation and unity, much to the delight of education advocates who are optimistic that this will help pave the way for a revision of the No Child Left Behind policy. Ryan acknowledged that the House is facing problems instead of solving them, and he aims to reset and start anew.

Despite Ryan’s election, the challenges that need to be addressed in the No Child Left Behind rewrite, such as early education, school choice, and accountability standards, remain just as complex. However, the change in leadership, both in terms of a new face leading the chamber and Ryan’s specific attributes, brings hope to education advocates who have long awaited an overhaul of the outdated legislation.

Similar to a newly elected president who experiences a honeymoon period of cooperation from Congress, Ryan may also enjoy a more amiable relationship with the unruly members of his caucus. Tamara Hiler, a policy adviser for education at the Third Way think tank, suggests that the absence of former Speaker John Boehner, who was closely tied to No Child Left Behind and received a great deal of animosity, may help appease conservative caucus members and facilitate a deal.

Hiler further explains that much of the resentment in the past stemmed from personal feelings towards Boehner rather than grievances with specific policies. Although Ryan himself voted for the original law in 2001, he has since aligned more with the wing of the party that questions federal involvement in schools. This summer, he supported the "A-PLUS Act," which proposed sending education funding to states as block grants without federal directives.

In addition to being a departure from Boehner, Ryan also possesses a reputation for bipartisanship, having previously worked with Patty Murray, a prominent Senate Democrat, to reach a budget agreement in 2013. Hiler suggests that their strong relationship may help facilitate cooperation and prevent Ryan from becoming an obstructionist figure in the legislative process.

Ryan has promised to return the task of writing legislation to committees and has extended an olive branch to Democrats, ensuring their inclusion in the process. He understands that a neglected minority can obstruct progress, but a respected minority will work constructively.

The path to a No Child Left Behind rewrite is further eased by a new two-year budget deal, eliminating the need to divert attention and resources towards contentious spending and debt issues.

In the end, the key figure in the House for the No Child Left Behind revision will not be Ryan, just as it was not Boehner. The person leading the charge remains John Kline, the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee. Hiler believes that Kline is highly motivated to complete this task and secure his legacy.