HARTFORD —Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, applauded the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that Connecticut will continue to receive flexibility on provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind, for the next three years. Starting this fall, the SAT will be free for Connecticut students and will replace the state SBAC test.

“Our local schools need local solutions, which is why I am glad that today’s announcement will help us reduce duplicative testing requirements and provide free access to SAT tests for all Connecticut students. No Child Left Behind is broken, and we cannot continue to rely on patchwork, temporary waivers to help our students and teachers. I am committed to continuing to work in the Senate to reform the law so that every single child – no matter their race or geography – receives a first-rate education.”

Murphy has worked extensively in the Senate to improve ESEA for Connecticut students and teachers, including leading efforts to improve accountability and close the achievement gap for vulnerable students.