GUEST BLOG: Duncan's Waivers Will Give States Much Needed Flexibility
Gene Wilhoit //Sep. 9, 2011 // 10:35 AM
Secretary Duncan recently announced that the U.S. Department of Education will consider granting waiversto states for certain provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). While the details of the Secretary’s waiver requirements have not yet been revealed, the decision to provide more flexibility to states is a critical step toward improving this country’s public education system. Ultimately, an improved federal law needs to be written by Congress.
The United States is home to some of the best public schools in the world and we have others in dire need of improvement. But this year, under NCLB, more than 80 percent of schools are expected to be labeled as failing based on student