To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to include certain students with disabilities in the calculation of graduation rates, and to assess limited English proficient students who have been in the United States for 5 or more consecutive years.

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2075-2076)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 26, 2008

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to alter certain requirements regarding the inclusion of disabled and limited English proficient (LEP) students in calculations as to whether schools, local educational agencies, and states are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards.

Treats as secondary school graduates any disabled students who: (1) graduate with a regular diploma before their 22nd birthday; or (2) turn 22 without obtaining a regular diploma, but have achieved the goals of their individualized education programs.

Raises from three to five years the number of years LEP students may be in this country before having their English language proficiency assessed.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Buyer, Steve [R-IN-4] · R–IN

Committees

Education and Workforce Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 27, 2008
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2075-2076)
Sep 26, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Sep 26, 2008
Introduced in House
Sep 26, 2008
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 26, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.7116 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7116, 110th Congress: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to include certain students with disabilities in the calculation of graduation rates, and to assess limited English proficient students who have been in the United States for 5 or more consecutive years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7116

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7116/BILLS-110hr7116ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:46:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.7116 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.7116 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7116, 110th Congress: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to include certain students with disabilities in the calculation of graduation rates, and to assess limited English proficient students who have been in the United States for 5 or more consecutive years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7116

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7116/BILLS-110hr7116ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:46:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7116 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.7116 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7116, 110th Congress: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to include certain students with disabilities in the calculation of graduation rates, and to assess limited English proficient students who have been in the United States for 5 or more consecutive years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7116

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7116/BILLS-110hr7116ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:46:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7116 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.7116 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7116, 110th Congress: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to include certain students with disabilities in the calculation of graduation rates, and to assess limited English proficient students who have been in the United States for 5 or more consecutive years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7116

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7116/BILLS-110hr7116ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:46:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7116 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.