WASHINGTON - After years of failed attempts, Congress is nearing final passage of a sweeping new education law.
The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on legislation to rewrite the landmark 2002 No Child Left Behind law.
The bill would keep No Child's requirement for statewide reading and math exams, but it would encourage states to set caps on the time students spend on testing. It would also diminish the high stakes associated with tests at underperforming schools.
The measure would substantially limit the federal government's role, barring it from telling states and local districts how to assess schools and teachers. Instead, states and districts would create their own ways to judge performance.
Senate approval would send the bill to the White House, where President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.
