Georgia Gets No Child Left Behind Exemption

Georgia educators will be exempt from certain portions of the Federal No Child Left Behind Act for an extended period of time, The Associated Press reports.

On Thursday, education officials with the government extended exemptions to Georgia, Delaware, Minnesota, New York and South Carolina. Georgia was granted an exemption for the 2014-15 school year because flexibility has allowed the state to make strides in student achievement.

Georgia’s professional development programs, platforms for school and teacher improvement, and accountability measures go beyond the Federal standard and will remain in place instead of Federal provisions.

State Superintendent John Barge said his office was pleased that the exemption was granted, stating that Georgia’s accountability programs were good news for the state’s parents, students, and educators.

The state will have to re-apply for the exemption for 2015-16 and show that their education standards are closing the achievement gap and improving student performance.