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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

States Express Strong Interest In NCLB Waiver Plan

Coverage of Education Secretary Arne Duncan's announcement that ED will grant waivers to states struggling with No Child Left Behind continued today, focusing largely on the rush to take him up on the offer, and on the wait-and-see tone that other states are voicing. The Washington Times (8/10, Wolfgang) reports that "within hours" of the Monday announcement, "several states announced that they would apply for relief" while others "expressed interest." The piece notes that Tennessee had already applied, adding that the "mad dash to escape high-stakes testing and gain more flexibility represents 'a sense of desperation' among states, said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators."


 

Noting that the law is widely unpopular with state education officials, the Christian Science Monitor (8/10, Khadaroo) reports that NCLB's requirement for rising academic standards has led states to balk at the mandate. "State superintendents in Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota have flat-out said they aren't going to raise the bar" in letters to Duncan. Monday's announcement relieves pressure on officials in states that, "rather than openly defying the law," have been hoping for the waivers.


 

Not All States Lining Up To Seek Waivers. The Omaha World-Herald (8/10, Dejka) reports that amid the general enthusiasm about the waiver announcement, "Nebraska and Iowa education leaders want to know the fine print" before seeking waivers, noting that Duncan says details will be announced in September. "Nebraska officials said they're not convinced the state would qualify for the waiver because Nebraska has not adopted 'common core' standards" or "implemented a state accountability system," both of which could be a part of any waiver deal.

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