Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 authorized the funding of federal K-12 education programs. The most recent version of ESEA was the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. The law was due for reauthorization in 2007 and NACAC is working with the 112th Congress to improve access to quality school counseling.

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Reauthorization Legislation - NACAC on Reauthorization - ESSCP -
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Coalitions

Reauthorization Legislation

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
       Bill text
       Summary of Legislation
       Summary by Program

House Commitee on Education and the Workforce
      Student Success Act: full text, summary 
      Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act: full text, summary

NACAC on Reauthorization Process

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP)

• The only federal program devoted to the creation and expansion of counseling programs in our nation's schools.
• Despite overwhelming demand for the grant program, requiring the Department of Education to compete the grant every other year, the Obama Administration has proposed consolidation of ESSCP into a funding stream called Successful, Safe, and Healthy Students with five other existing programs.
• The program has a statutory funding trigger of $40 million; therefore, whenever funding exceeds $40 million, secondary schools may receive any funds above $40 million. 
• In Fiscal Year 2011, ESSCP was funded at $52.4 million.
• Proposed for consolidation by the Department of Education, approved for elimination by the House, and not included in the Senate reauthorization bill; NACAC is working with coalition partners to preserve the priorities of this program in reauthorization.
  

Counseling

Fact Sheet: School Counselors Contribute to College Access and Success

Curriculum

NACAC Recommendations

The Pathways to College Act, introduced in both Chambers during the 111th Congress, would establish a grant program to help hire, train, and equip school counselors to establish a college-going culture in America's neediest schools.

With the challenging budget environment and make-up of the 112th Congress, rather than reintroduce the bill, NACAC urges federal legislators to include essential provisions of the Pathways to College Act in ESEA reauthorization to eliminate barriers to college awareness:

• Title I - Allowable Uses of Funds and Recommended Amendments
  
• Title II - Professional Development and Recommended Amendments

Recommendations to the 111th Congress  

Coalition Recommendations

National Association of School Psychologists: Enhancing the Blueprint for School Improvement in the ESEA Reauthorization: Moving From a Two- to a Three-Component Approach

U.S. Department of Education Recommendations

Secretary Duncan's Op-Ed: School Reform: A Chance for Bipartisan Governing

Secretary Duncan's Testimony to Senate HELP Committee

ESEA Reauthorization: A Blueprint for Reform

Secretary Arne Duncan's Op-Ed: School reform: A chance for bipartisan governing

NACAC's ESEA Advocacy Coalitions

Committee for Education Funding (CEF)

National Alliance of Pupil Services Organizations (NAPSO)