Pelosi Statement on President Trump’s Assault on Public Education

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released this statement after the President signed several resolutions, passed by Congressional Republicans, including two measures to weaken implementation of the overwhelmingly bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and diminishes the Higher Education Act's teacher preparation programs.

"Today, President Trump showed he is not interested in ensuring world-class education for all America's children. By signing these resolutions, he is actively jeopardizing the successful implementation of the overwhelmingly bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), while also turning his back on our teachers and school leaders.

"Education is the most important investment a parent can make in a child, and a nation can make in its future. Yet, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are undermining public education by hampering the success of ESSA's core provisions that ensure strong accountability standards and allow schools and states the flexibility to provide a quality education to every student. More than 50 years after the historic passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, today, a majority of our nation's 50 million public school students live in poverty.

"Democrats, led by our Ranking Member Bobby Scott, will be relentless in our dogged pursuit of ensuring that the needs of all students, teachers, school leaders and communities are being met. We will continue to insist on complete Congressional scrutiny of all Administration actions that impact ESSA to make certain that the provisions of the law as passed are upheld so that every student, regardless of their zip code, is empowered to realize their full potential."

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