WASHINGTON, D.C. –House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement upon House passage of the Conference Report to Accompany S. 1177, the Student Success Act:

“The Student Success Act represents the largest reduction of federal control over education in 25 years,” Rep. Scalise said. “This legislation replaces ’No Child Left Behind’ with reforms that allow states and parents to have more control over their children’s education, while also getting the federal government out of mandated standards and curriculum like Common Core, so the Obama Administration can no longer use threats or coercion to force states like Louisiana to adopt Washington-knows-best school mandates.

“The bill we passed today also downsizes Washington’s footprint by eliminating 49 federal programs and replacing them with a block grant, so states like Louisiana can decide how best to address the educational needs of our children. Crucially, this bill reauthorizes and strengthens the Charter School Program, which has played a significant role in helping Louisiana and other states provide thousands of students and their families with better educational options.

“While there is still more work to be done, the reforms in this bill are major, positive steps forward in getting Washington bureaucrats out of state and local education decisions. I applaud Chairman Kline for championing this important legislation.”