While Congress remains tied in knots over thorny issues like immigration, gun control and various fiscal pitfalls, states agree the federal government should be focusing on renewing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The Council of State Governments Monday joined with several state and local government organizations to call on congressional leaders to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The last major rewrite of this law—referred to as No Child Left Behind—occurred more than 12 years ago. That law concerned many states over performance metrics, dilution of federal resources and federalism issues.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education granted waivers to states on specific, problematic portions of the law in lieu of congressional action. But this was a Band-Aid solution to a greater problem that only can be fixed with a full reauthorization of the bill.

“As we struggle to reallocate scarce federal resources and face economic uncertainty, we need greater federal funding flexibility. Most of all, we need federal policies that authentically support state and local innovation so that every student will be prepared for college careers,” the letter to Congress stated.

CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins and leaders of eight other organizations representing state and local government signed the letter.

Read the full text of the letter.