Contact: Roslyn Singer
Director of Communications, OU Advocacy
212-613-8227
rsinger@ou.org

February 4, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, welcomed the introduction of the Student Success Act (H.R.5) in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R.5 will reauthorize and revise the law governing federal K-12 education policy and funding, known most recently as “No Child Left Behind.”

H.R.5-the Student Success Act contains many provisions addressing K-12 education standards, testing, teacher training and more. It also contains critical revisions to sections of the law under which students in non-public schools, including Jewish day schools, receive federally funded services.

Nathan Diament, the Orthodox Union’s Executive Director for Public Policy, stated:

“The Orthodox Union commends House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) for their introduction of the Student Success Act. We are particularly appreciative of the bill’s provisions addressing the law’s requirement that eligible students in non-public schools receive ‘equitable services’ under the act. The bill strengthens these provisions to ensure the participation of private school students and teachers in the programs funded under the Act. H.R.5 improves the consultation and negotiation processes to provide clearer procedures and faster notice for private school officials. These changes will better protect access for private school students. We look forward to working with the House and Senate to move this reauthorization bill forward.”