Washington -- This evening, the House Rules Committee reversed course and made an amendment offered by Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) and Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to the Student Success Act (H.R. 5) in order. The amendment, known as the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (APLUS) Act, allows states the ability to opt out of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"A-PLUS is the right approach to federal education policy because it would empower parents and students instead of federal bureaucrats and political appointees. The underlying bill is not worth passing unless this amendment is adopted."