NCLB MAY GET TO THE SENATE FLOOR AS EARLY AS THE END OF THE WEEK

NCLB lull nearing an end?

Politico Morning Ed By Caitlin Emma With help from Eliza Collins, Helena Bottemiller Evich and Allie Grasgreen | http://politi.co/1xm12WO

6/16/15 10:00 AM EDT  ::  Education policy watchers rejoice — No Child Left Behind could be headed to the Senate floor as early as the end of the week. “We’re hoping so. If not then beginning of next week,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).

“I think we’ll do a good job — and hopefully we’ll get a lot of Democratic votes, too.” Isakson said parts of the Senate bill will appeal to conservatives, including opt out provisions and language blocking the federal government from interfering with the Common Core.

Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander is expecting several conservative amendments to the bill, but wouldn’t say whether he’s offering his school voucher proposal when it hits the Senate floor. Expect Democrats to call for stronger accountability provisions.

“I didn’t think the bill that came out of the committee was a great civil rights bill,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “We’ve got to do more to require states to act” when it comes to low-performing schools. Murphy said he thinks some accountability changes could gain bipartisan support.