A fast-paced season

Look for Congress to open with a flurry of activity this fall, with a number of key education, health and appropriations bills moving to the forefront.

Prospects for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act are still unclear, although the education committee chairs in the U.S. House and Senate both have said they want to take up the legislation this year. The AFT has been working with committee members and their staff in both chambers to make sure the lawmakers are aware of the union’s recommendations on NCLB. In addition, local union leaders and members around the country have engaged in substantive NCLB discussions. The union’s Activists for Congressional Education (ACE) program has organized scores of meetings with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, and union-sponsored “town hall” discussions have drawn together elected representatives and frontline AFT members and leaders.

Events surrounding NCLB are fluid, with many organizations advancing their own recommendations. Make sure Congress knows where you stand by sending your senators and congressional representative the “NCLB: Let’s get it right!” post card bound into the September issue of American Teacher.

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act also will be prominent on the congressional radar. In July, the Senate passed its version of this policy bill on a 95-0 vote. The Senate bill addresses student loan ethics reform, soaring college tuition and fees, simplification of financial aid applications, promoting college-prep programs and beefing up teacher-prep programs. But the bill also includes less desirable “Academic Bill of Rights” language that, among other things, would lower the bar on for-profits qualifying for participation in federal aid programs, and would gauge student performance in ways that are more intrusive than constructive.

The higher education bill goes to conference with a House bill this fall, and Congress also will be moving to finish work on spending bills as well as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

The AFT does offer an excellent way to stay abreast of developments: the AFT e-Activist network. Sign up for breaking news on key bills, committee action and other developments by visiting www.aft.org/e-activist.