NCLB Changes Better Reflect Individual Efforts, School Supt. Says

Local educators will get a break from the No Child Left Behind Act, the highly debated federal law criticized for its one-size-fits-all approach to measuring success.

President Barack Obama has announced that Massachusetts will receive a waiver from some of the 10-year-old legislation's toughest requirements in exchange for a state-developed plan. 

Grafton Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings sais he expects to learn more details about the changes in the next few weeks. "I hope that the new system will provide for more individualized reporting as to how schools and districts are performing,'' he said in a statement. "I am confident that the work that we are doing in Grafton will be reflected in the results of the new accountability system.''

A main goal of NCLB was for all students to have reached proficiency in English and math by 2014. In this state, this proficiency is measured by Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams. In its presentation to the U.S. Dept. of Education, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education officials noted that federally, 90 percent of districts across the country are not meeting proficiency goals.

Under the state plan, which is available on the DOSE's website, educators have proposed reducing the proficiency gap in half by the 2016-2017 school year.

The U.S. DOE invited educational agencies last year to request flexibility from the regulations, in exchange for comprehensive state-developed plans. The state in November 2011 submitted a request, which was sent back to them with questions. Officials were notified this week that their second, resubmitted application was approved.