Interview with Diane Ravitch: California's Rejection of NCLB Waivers Sends a Message
California, with more public school students than any other state, has surprised many by declining to apply for waivers to No Child Left Behind. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, and so in the coming weeks I am going to be asking a variety of educational leaders for their thoughts. Today, I am sharing the thoughts of education historian Diane Ravitch.
What do you think of the decision by elected leaders in California to forgo the opportunity to apply for waivers to NCLB?
I was very pleased when California decided to turn down the waivers for California. I think it took a lot of courage by Governor Brown and Superintendent Torlakson.
What do you think the down side of applying for these waivers would have been?
One of the many problems with NCLB is that it came packaged with unrealistic, expensive and heavy-handed federal mandates. It