WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roberts (R-Kan.) today praised Senate passage of a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn an Obama-era regulation that takes away state authority to evaluate the quality of teachers and teacher preparation programs. The final rule, which went into effect in November 2016, would impose federal requirements for teacher preparation and is in violation of the Higher Education Act.

“I’m pleased the Senate has overturned another Obama regulation that does nothing but hurt our teachers and students,” Roberts said. “This costly regulation directly violates the law put in place by Congress by taking away state authority to evaluate teachers and the quality of teacher preparation programs while also increasing the severity of teacher shortages in areas where they are most in need. We need to get the federal government out of the classroom, and return these decisions back to those closest to the children.”

The resolution of disapproval, H.J. Res. 58, passed the House last month and the Senate today by a vote of 59-40. The Senate companion, S.J. Res. 26, was introduced last week by Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). Roberts is an original cosponsor. Passage of this resolution nullifies the administration’s final rule and prohibits any administration from issuing a substantially similar rule without congressional approval. It now goes to the president for signature.

The University of Kansas said, “The University of Kansas School of Education applauds Senator Pat Roberts for supporting S.J. Res. 26, a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to block implementation of an October 2016 rule related to teacher preparation programs. The regulations create a significant burden for Schools and Colleges of Education and State Departments of Education that are very duplicative of state efforts and expectations for institutions seeking professional accreditation.”

The Kansas Independent College Association and Fund said, “We are grateful that Senator Roberts and his colleagues voted to eliminate this onerous regulation from the previous Administration. Kansas’ non-profit colleges are deeply committed to educating top-quality K-12 teachers who are well prepared, from day one, to help their pupils succeed. Because we care deeply about the success of all of our students, we believe that federal policies must be founded upon scientifically valid, reliable measures and must respect the distinctions between institutions of different sizes and missions. The previous Administration’s regulation failed this test on both dimensions and would have mandated the states create a vastly expensive and unworkable system which would have had a profoundly negative effect on students.”

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