Rep. Tom Graves Votes to Repeal No Child Left Behind

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, who represents Paulding County

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) issued the following statement today after voting in favor of the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), legislation that repeals and replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB) while blocking federal funding for Common Core:

“While well intentioned, No Child Left Behind is failed Bush-era policy that expanded the federal government’s role in education with one-size-fits-all mandates. After hearing from parents, students and educators across the 14th District for several years, I firmly believe we must repeal and replace NCLB with legislation that returns power to our local communities. That’s exactly what the Student Success Act does.

“This bill prevents the federal government from coercing states into adopting Common Core, and allows states to develop testing curricula that best fits their needs with no strings attached. Importantly, the bill protects religious freedoms, and ensures private schools and those who are homeschooled are free from federal control. It also completely eliminates 65 ineffective or duplicative federal programs.

“Passing the Student Success Act is a step toward taking power away from the Obama administration and giving it back to states, localities, parents and teachers who really know what is best for their kids.”