Make Sure Your Congress is Back-to-School Ready Backpack, pencils, notebooks, ruler…

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) wants to prepare Congress for back- to-school. Please help us get them packed for the new school year.  Below are the 3 items you can add to their Congressional backpack.  You can trust AAUW with these supplies. We have earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating (4-stars) for the third year in a row.  The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Since its first meeting in 1881, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. You can trust us to know just what’s needed for your kid’s final school backpack that meets our high US standards.  Please join us with a quality inspection for this US Congress made “back to school pack”.  It’s easy just follow our checklist that was prepared by Erin Prangley - AAUW Associate Director of Government Relations.

As a parent you are ready with a “back-to-school” checklist, but what about Congress’ back-to-school list? Just as students across the country start another school year, Congress will soon return to Capitol Hill. And we already have homework for them.

1. Congress should finally update the flawed and outdated No Child Left Behind Act. After two years of "waivers" from the No Child Left Behind Act, over 40 states have agreed to the president's plan for education in their states. But this is not a long-term solution. Congress must act in a responsible, bipartisan way to permanently fix the problems of the No Child Left Behind Act by reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

2. Congress should close the legal gap that allows bullying and harassment in schools. Although some federal laws address particular kinds of harassment, there is no comprehensive law to address bullying and harassment. Most kids celebrate the end of school because it means no more homework, no more waking up early, and plenty of time at the beach. But for some kids, it finally means a relief – albeit a short one – from the relentless bullying they encounter in the school hallways, on the playground, in the classroom, and countless other places in the school environment. Congress should take action to make schools free from bullying and harassment so students feel safe all year.