2010 CSDGKC Federal Legislative Platform

In the interest of public education, the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City asks the United States Congress to

Support efforts to ensure that all members of the Missouri Public School Retirement System holding a valid teacher certificate be exempt from payment of Social Security taxes.

Support changes to the No Child Left Behind Act to provide for full funding, the creation of a positive federal educational program by eliminating negative sanctions and standards; and create an approach to AYP based on longitudinal data for student achievement.

Reframe ESEA to more carefully target the relatively small federal investment in K-12 education to schools serving larger concentrations of low-income and minority children.

Promote clear, accurate, easily understood accountability systems that are commensurate with the relative contribution of the federal governmnet to the school district.

Support changes to the Higher Education Act to encourage students to enter the teaching profession through Federal Loan Forgiveness for beginning teachers.

Support making IDEA an entitlement program so that the previously promised 40 percent funding level can be achieved.

Oppose the implementation of a mandatory national exit test for high school students.

Oppose any federal legislation that would continue the erosion of local/state control.

Support the addition of clarifying language in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to prevent states from supplanting their state funds with the federal funds, to require maintenance of effort by the states and to ensure that funds are distributed to the local school districts as quickly as possible.

Support the establishment of a cooperative state driven effort for standards for student performance that include the mastery of basic skills and higher order thinking skills.  Also support accountability of students for these standards with the use of valid, reliable and authentic assessments.