In a strong show of support for students with LD, the National Center for Learning Disabilities joined over 30 organizations in a letter to House Education & Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) opposing his recently released draft legislation to update the Elementary & Secondary Education Act, more commonly known as No Child Left Behind. .

The Kline drafts represent a serious regression in the focus on our nation’s most struggling students, including those with learning disabilities. The bill would virtually eliminate the Federal role in ensuring that States and school districts are held accountable for the achievement of students with learning disabilities and other disadvantaged students.
   
No Child Left Behind is in need of change and NCLD supports key changes to this law.  While applauding the effort to finally reauthorize a bill that is long overdue for revision, the letter cites previously failed attempts at leaving accountability to the states, showcasing a major concern in these bills.  In short, these drafts represent a rollback of critical provisions of the law that benefit students with learning disabilities.

As always, the National Center for Learning Disabilities is actively seeking to protect the nation’s students with disabilities. Along with many other groups, the National Center for Learning Disabilities is fully committed to working with Chairman Kline to create a bill that would better hold schools accountable for the success of all students, including those with learning disabilities.

Click here to view the letter.

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