With Congress still working on rewriting the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – better known as No Child Left Behind – the U.S. Secretary of Education is starting to take matters into his own hands, calling for “regulatory flexibility” for states and school districts.
What such “flexibility” will entail is still under discussion, however Secretary Duncan has indicated that leaving NCLB in place, as is, will result in an overwhelming number of schools in the country mislabeled as failing. With the 2011-2012 school year approaching, Secretary Duncan states that our nation’s students cannot afford to wait any longer for such changes.
But such “flexibility” will likely have strings attached. Secretary Duncan stated that the Obama administration will develop a plan that trades regulatory flexibility for reform.” Some have speculated that reforms the Administration will seek will mirror those in the controversial Race to the Top competition, which includes a movement towards defining an effective/highly effective teacher, supporting pay for performance models, and expanding charter schools.
As the Administration’s “flexibility” plan unfolds, CEC will continue to actively advocate to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities and gifts and talents are considered. CEC has called for the overhaul of NCLB and has supported a comprehensive – rather than piecemeal -- approach to rewriting the law. Tell Congress to rewrite NCLB now!
Share your thoughts with CEC on flexibility in exchange for education reforms by commenting on this blog or emailing pubpol@cec.sped.org.
Read Secretary Duncan’s op-ed outlining his “regulatory flexibility” announcement.
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