We encourage all students to follow important senatorial sessions that affect education or student financing. Senator Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has released a draft of the Senate ESEA reauthorization proposal. The bill is scheduled for markup in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on October 18. As might be expected, the proposal does not suit everyone. The civil rights community is worried about an apparent backing off from accountability targets; a number of Republicans believe the federal role is still much too large, despite added flexibility provisions; and teacher advocates have concerns about the teacher evaluation process. State and local education agencies and state governors seem pleased to be relieved of some of the more onerous aspects of NCLB, but have their own concerns about other aspects of the proposal. It's also not at all clear how this comprehensive legislation will (or could) be reconciled with the more piecemeal approach the House of Representatives is taking, though that concern may be premature, as first the bill has to make its way out of the Senate