Post-Election Analysis: Who's in Charge & What It Means for Ed. Policy
Don't have time to view the ASCD public policy webinar on the 2010 midterm election results?
Whether you count yourself among the 38% of Americans who know Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) will be Speaker of the House in the 112th Congress, or are a policy new-comer, we've got the Cliffs Notes version of the recent seismic electoral shifts and the implications for education policy next year.
The House Switches Hands
Republicans picked up 64 seats in the House, giving them 242 total and control of the chamber next year (218 is a majority). The huge Republican win is more than they won in the last big wave election, 1994, when House Republicans won 52 seats, and also took control of the House. John Boehner (R-OH) will replace Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as Speaker of the House in January. Boehner was the chairman of the House Education Committee at the time of the No Child Left Behind Act.
No Easy Majority in Senate
In the Senate, Republicans also picked up a significant number of seats (6), though not enough to give them control of that chamber. Ironically, Tea Party supported candidates did very well in local congressional races but likely cost Republicans a Senate majority by defeating in the primary more heavily favored general election Republicans. This was the case in Delaware where Christine O’Donnell upset Rep. and former Governor Mike Castle. Democrats will retain a
