ICMA joined a letter with the other Big 7 state and local government associations urging Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESEA's last reauthorization was 12 years ago, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

While the NCLB had a commendable intent, to identify the unmet needs of all children and to promote education reform, it shifted too much control away from state and local elected officials, diluted the impact of federal resources, and relied on a method of identifying academic progress that focused on failure instead of rewarding excellence.

The associations asked for a full reauthorization of ESEA to address the challenges state and local governments face in education, giving policymakers a long-term resolution and solution to NCLB, and making sure every student is prepared for college or a career.