FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOSTON, Mass—December 9, 2015—U.S. Senate passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which rewrites No Child Left Behind, provides a new opportunity to improve education in America through greater adoption of expanded learning time in public schools, says Steven M. Rothstein, chief executive of Citizen Schools which partners with public schools to provide academic support and hands-on learning for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders in high-need communities in seven states.

The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 2, 2015, with strong bipartisan support. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law before the end of the year. "This is the biggest commitment the federal government has ever made to expanded learning time.

This is a historic milestone for underserved students and a strong statement from a bipartisan group of legislators. It will be an important step to reduce the opportunity gap that has grown over the years,” said Rothstein.

Citizen Schools commends the U.S. Congress for producing legislation that keeps important accountability components for closing the achievement and opportunity gap for low-income and historically underrepresented students, but does away with one-size fits-all federal requirements.

In particular, the organization applauds Congress for the inclusion of Expanded Learning Time in several areas of the legislation—most notably, within the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, the only federal program dedicated solely to delivering after-school, before school, expanded day, and summer services for low-income students.

“Preserving targeted programs like 21st CCLC, as well as targeted funds for school improvement and innovation, will benefit millions of students across the country,” said Rothstein. “We commend the Congress for its efforts to increase STEM learning opportunities and to promote evidence-based practices in K-12 education.”

Media contact: Matt Ellis Ellis Strategies, Inc. matt@ellisstrategies.com | 617.278.6560