Good timing for school superintendents and business officials advocacy conference

Few associations hold fly-ins the week after the July 4 holiday, but the timing couldn't be more fortuitous for two school groups. The Senate is set to begin floor debate Tuesday a long-overdue overhaul of elementary and secondary education programs. That's the same day AASA—The School Superintendents Association and the Association of School Business Officials International kick off an annual Legislative Advocacy Conference. About 200 people are expected, with Hill visits scheduled for Wednesday.

The current law, known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, set national standards for achievement by students and schools, resulting in a backlash against testing. NCLB was set to expire in 2007, but it remains in force until Congress writes a new law.

In June, 10 national education groups (including AASA and ASBO) urged the Senate to bring the reauthorization bill to the floor for a vote. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed a new bill, known as Every Child Achieves Act, unanimously April 16. Education groups praised the bill for strengthening state and local control of schools, which would no longer be accountable to the federal government for test scores.

Contentious amendments are expected on the Senate floor, however. The House version of the education bill, which Democrats opposed, could also get to the floor this month.

Also in town this week: NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association holds another SPIRIT Fly-In. The grassroots campaign "Supporting Policy Initiatives for Rural Independent Communications" includes seven fly-ins this year.

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