Republican Main Street Partnership Urges House
To Pass Science Accountability Act

Legislation Will Make States Accountable for Students' Science
Education Scores

(Washington, DC) - The Republican Main Street Partnership urges the House to pass the Science Accountability Act (H.R. 5442), introduced by Main Street member Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI). Main Street members Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) joined Ehlers in introducing this critical legislation adding science assessments to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act 's state accountability system.

"Once again it's centrist Republicans leading on issues that average Americans care about," said Sarah Chamberlain Resnick, Executive Director of Main Street. "We applaud Congressman Ehlers for his leadership on this important education legislation and urge the House to pass it."

Under NCLB, states are required to develop and administer science assessments by the 2007-08 school year. Currently, the NCLB Act does not require that the science assessments be used in the state accountability system. The Science Accountability Act adds the logical step of including science in the state accountability system, starting in the 2008-09 school year.

According to a letter of support for the Science Accountability Act, authored by Dr. Gerald Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, and Dr. E. Ann Nalley, president of the American Chemical Society, "Science assessments are necessary tools for managing and evaluating efforts so that all students receive the science education necessary to successfully prepare them for the future. Including science in the accountability measures will put science on an equal footing with other curriculum areas, highlight areas for improvement in many of our nation's schools, and help to ensure that all learners can succeed academically in science."

"Main Street and our centrist Republican members will continue to lead the fight on critical education issues, and will continue to push a legislative agenda that reflects the values and priorities of the American people," concluded Resnick.