Politics & Government
New York State Receives No Child Left Behind Waiver
Empire state and seven others were given more flexibility in reaching academic goals with exemption granted Tuesday.
New York State was granted a No Child Left Behind waiver on Tuesday, gaining a little more flexibility with the controversial 2001 school accountability law, says the Albany Times Union.
Beginning in September, the state’s poorest-performing schools will be labeled "priority schools," while those making the most progress will be "reward schools." School districts that need to improve will be dubbed "focus districts,” says the article.
In addition, a little more leeway will be given to the rigid goal that all students are "proficient" in reading and math by 2014, one of the tenets of the original No Child Left Behind act, says the Times Union.
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The article also mentions that failing schools in the state will now have more flexibility in how they spend money to improve academically, using a district-wide approach, with more emphasis on parent involvement.
"The waiver lets New York move away from NCLB requirements that were unproductive or unrealistic," state Education Commissioner John King said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The waiver was granted Tuesday to New York and seven other states. In all, 19 states have gotten more flexibility from the 2001 school accountability law. Eighteen other states are under review for waivers. So far no state has been denied, the Times Union reports.
What will this mean for students in Forest Hills and the city? Let us know what you think!