Va., Md. and D.C. seek to opt out of key parts of No Child Left Behind law [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Va., Md. and D.C. seek to opt out of key parts of No Child Left Behind law
By Emma Brown, Saturday, February 25, 6:54 PM

For the past decade, public schools nationwide have aimed for a target fixed in federal law — that 100 percent of students should pass reading and math tests by 2014. Now Virginia wants to lower the goal to 75 percent for reading and 70 percent for math.

Maryland and the District also want to revise expectations for student achievement — part of a national movement to seek federal approval to opt out of key parts of the 2002 No Child Left Behind law. Many educators say the law saddles schools with unrealistic goals and unfair penalties.

But Virginia appears to be seeking an especially significant departure from an accountability system that demands progress each year toward the 2014 target.

Under the law, schools are flagged if any of several groups of students identified by race, ethnicity, poverty or other factors fails to make adequate progress on state tests or certain other measures. Those flagged year after year can face sanctions up to reorganization or closure.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/va-md-and-dc-seek-to-opt-out-of-key-parts-of-no-child-left-behind-law/2012/02/24/gIQAuXbcaR_story.html