The Every Student Succeeds Act will now move on to the president’s desk as the Senate has officially approved the overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act with a 85-12 vote. 

The Senate voted on the measure today after the House passed the bill last week by a 359-64 vote, as had long been expected.

The next step for the bill before it officially becomes law and replaces NCLB is President Obama’s approval, which he has indicated he will give, said The Washington Post. Most anticipate the bill to be signed into law tomorrow. 

Many in the education community and beyond are ecstatic over the long-anticipated overhaul which has come even sooner than expected after significant legislature changes.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced his resignation in October and John Boehner stepped down as Speaker of the House just before, two changes many thought would significantly delay the Every Student Succeeds Act passing.

The Every Student Succeeds Act is the first time in eight years that Democrats and Republicans are able to agree on an update to the education act. Though not all are happy, particularly conservative Republicans, most can agree there is something in the act for everybody.

When approved, by August the patchwork of waivers excusing 43 states from No Child Left Behind will finally be void, with the overhaul significantly reducing federal accountability by reducing the scope of the Education Department.

Though the act will still mandate standardized testing, it makes both the Democrats and the Republicans happy because while it reduces the role of the federal government, it still holds states accountable for underperforming schools.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

12/8/2015