ESEA Legislation Overview

The reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, formerly No Child Left Behind) is an important issue on Capitol Hill with a history of bipartisanship, and is critical for children, parents, and a wide array of education stakeholders nationwide. Signed into law in 2001, the law authorizes a statute that was originally enacted in 1965 to promote equal educational opportunities for all children. ESEA legislation authorizes several critical funding sources for the afterschool community including:

• The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) the only federal funding source that is solely dedicated to afterschool, before-school and summer learning programs. 
• Title I , including Supplemental Education Services (SES) 
• Physical Education Program (PEP) 

Official hearings and discussions on ESEA reauthorization began in Congress in 2006, but advocates and organizations started preparing for the reauthorization long beforehand. As of 2007, ESEA was officially up for reauthorization, a process by which the law is "renewed” to allow for changes and improvements. 

Several bills have been introduced in the 113th Congress, serving as placeholders for policy proposals that could be included in ESEA reauthorization. 

In summer 2013, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee marked-up a comprehensive ESEA reauthorization bill. The bill, put forth by Chairman Harkin (D-IA) and Committee Democrats, included significant changes to the 21st CCLC initiative, as well as to SES and PEP. The House Education and the Workforce Committee also marked up a partisan ESEA bill (HR 5) in summer 2013, with the bill passing the full House of Representatives by a partisan vote in July 2013. 

While debate has been focused primarily on K-12 school day issues, some significant steps have been taken around afterschool. The Afterschool Alliance has been an active voice in the discussions.  

For current updates on ESEA and other federal policy, go to Policy News.