Expanding Local Control and Flexibility
Flexibility in implementing No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has been made available to states since the law was passed, but there are also firm deadlines and required actions. In April 2005 Secretary Spellings defined the “bright lines” of NCLB, which cannot be compromised. These include:
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Performing annual assessments in reading and math for all students in grades 3-8, and at least once in high school.
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Maintaining disaggregated data on student achievement by subgroup. The data must be provided in a timely manner to parents and the public in clear and understandable school and district report cards.
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Meeting state standards for proficiency in reading and math by the 2013-14 school year. States must include all students in school accountability systems and set targets for all students to reach proficiency.
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Cultivating highly qualified teachers: States are responsible for implementing a rigorous system for ensuring that teachers are highly qualified, and providing support for recruiting and retaining the best and brightest teachers.
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Providing options for families— especially those with children attending persistently low-performing schools -- including access to tutoring services, charter schools, and transfer options to better performing schools.
States and districts that demonstrate a commitment to these principles are being given increasing flexibility in meeting the requirements of NCLB. Current flexibility provisions and pilot programs include:
- Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards for Some Children with Disabilities
- Alternate Achievement Standards for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities
- Flexibility And Accountability For Limited English Proficient Students
- Growth Model Pilot
- Supplemental Educational Service Pilots
- Highly Qualified Teacher Flexibility
- Flexibility and Waivers
- Waivers under NCLB
Taken from: US Department of Education, www.ed.gov.
For more information on NCLB Flexibility see the U.S. Department of Education’s NCLB reauthorization proposals.
In exchange for the strong accountability, No Child Left Behind gives states and local education agencies (LEAs) or school districts, more flexibility in the use of their federal education funding. It strives to eliminate some of the bureaucracy and “red tape” and allows for more state and local control.
Did You Know?
Most federal funds are sent directly to states and local school districts for their use in schools.
President Bush's FY 2005 budget would provide $38.7 billion for K-12 education. Of that amount, 95 percent would be distributed either directly to local districts or to schools through their states. Individual schools then use these funds for the purposes defined in the programs.
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ESEA Title I: $13.3 billion
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IDEA Part B: $11.1 billion
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Improving Teacher Quality: $2.9 billion
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English Language Learners: $587.4 million
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Impact Aid (schools impacted by military bases and other facilities): $1.2 billion
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Vocational Education (skills training): $1 billion
This and other facts about K-12 education funding can be found in the U.S. Department of Education's brochure, "10 Facts About K-12 Education Funding."
Taken from : NCLB EXTRA CREDIT July 19, 2004. NCLB Extra Credit is a regular look at the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush's landmark education reform initiative passed with bipartisan support in Congress.
