Press Releases

Today Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi named Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) to serve on the conference committee that will draft a bicameral bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Florida lawmaker is one of seven House Democrats appointed to the committee.

ESEA, also known as No Child Left Behind, has not been updated in nearly 15 years. First signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, and then reauthorized by President George W. Bush in 2002, the legislation aims to improve the quality of economic and secondary education, provide much-needed resources to schools in disadvantaged communities, close achievement gaps, and provide more accountability and transparency in the nation's school districts.

"It is an honor to be asked to serve on the ESEA conference committee. As a former teacher, elementary school principal, and school board member, I know firsthand how important this legislation is to ensuring that all children have equal access to a quality education regardless of their socioeconomic status," said Rep. Wilson, who also is the ranking Democrat on the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. "This legislation will provide the necessary tools for every student, teacher and school to succeed. Ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education is not only the right thing to do, it is their civil right. And a strong and comprehensive ESEA will enable them to graduate from high school prepared for a career or college and to help the nation keep its place as a leader in the global economic market."

As a conferee, Rep. Wilson will be a powerful voice for all children, particularly those from low-income communities who deserve to receive a high-quality education. She knows from real-world experience as a former educator and school administrator what is required to bridge education and funding gaps for the schools and children most in need.

"Fifty years ago, we enacted into law the landmark Elementary and Secondary Education Act because, as Americans, we recognized that education is the single most important investment a nation can make in its future and a family can make in its children," Leader Pelosi said. "Nothing returns more money to the Treasury than investments in education – from early childhood to lifelong learning.