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Senator Introduces Resolution to Repeal Obama Teacher-Prep Rules

By Andrew Ujifusa — March 03, 2017 1 min read
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A joint resolution to repeal the teacher-preparation rules finalized by the Obama administration was introduced in the Senate on Thursday.

Senate Joint Resolution 26, sponsored by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., would repeal the regulations from late last year that govern how teacher-prep programs measure the success of their students, among other factors influencing how those programs are judged (hat-tip Elizabeth Mann of the Brookings Institution). The measure has nine co-sponsors, all Republicans, including Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Senate education committee. Other education committee members to back the joint resolution include Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

Sasse’s measure was introduced two days after a resolution to repeal Obama-era accountability regulations under the Every Student Succeeds Act was introduced with the backing of 10 GOP senators, including Alexander.

Resolutions to repeal both sets of regulations were approved in the House last month. Republicans say that the ESSA accountability and teacher-prep rules represent federal overreach. Democrats, however, such as Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate committee, argue that repealing the ESSA rules would seriously hurt protections for disadvantaged students.

Both measures are being brought forward under the Congressional Review Act, which allows federal lawmakers to block regulations from the executive branch. The GOP controls both chambers of Congress.

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