Updated: 06/29/2009 11:30 AM KSTP.com | Print Story

New Role Gives Kline Voice in School Law Rewrite

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Rep. John Kline expects Congress to pull back on federal testing requirements during an upcoming rewrite of the No Child Left Behind education law.

Kline will have a prominent voice in the debate as the senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, a role he assumed this month.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Kline said the law passed under then-President George W. Bush came with too many demands from Washington. He said states should have more say over the frequency of student testing.

Currently, reading and math exams are required in grades three through eight. Schools that don't show enough student progress face escalating sanctions that can lead to total staff restructuring.

The law's rewrite is expected to begin this fall and could stretch into next year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)