Quigley Statement on Passage of Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement in response to the passage of the bipartisan reauthorization bill for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which included Rep. Quigley's amendment to maintain certification requirements for educational staff:

"Passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization is good news for students, parents, and teachers across the country. The agreement includes strong federal safeguards to ensure all students have access to a quality education, expands access to preschool, reduces dependence on high-stakes testing, and much more. I am also pleased that the final bill included the amendment I offered in February, which maintains certification requirements for educational staff, or paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals offer critical support with teaching instruction and student learning assistance, especially in overcrowded and special needs classrooms. I am glad Congress recognized the vital role these individuals play in the classroom and decided to continue the maintenance of certification to rightly equip these professionals with the skills needed to continue their work."

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