Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the new chairman of the Senate education committee, on Tuesday outlined how he would overhaul No Child Left Behind — a signature achievement of President George W. Bush that has been controversial among conservatives because it expanded the federal role in education.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Alexander said reforming No Child Left Behind is the first thing on his agenda as the new chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.