Senate Ed. Committee Unanimously Approves K-12 Bill

By Erik W. Robelen

Washington

After two days of heated debate, the Senate education committee unanimously approved a K-12 bill last week that embraces President Bush's calls for more testing and consolidating federal programs, but leaves out key changes sought by Republicans and Democrats.

The bipartisan effort stands in stark contrast to last year's committee deliberations over the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, when members reported out the legislation on a party-line vote. Congress ultimately failed to complete work on the bill, forcing it to renew its efforts this year.

Both sides made clear that last week's 20-0 vote was only the first step in what will likely be a protracted debate over the federal government's role in improving schools. In fact, the committee did not even consider a couple of the president's most contentious proposals, choosing instead to let senators address them on the Senate floor. At press time, it was unclear when that...