ON SECOND THOUGHT: While Less Positive Than 2008, American Public Believes Obama Can Improve Education in Second Term Article

Although President Obama was unable to shepherd a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act through the U.S. Congress during his first term, he did encourage states to enact education reforms through the Race to the Top competition and provide additional flexibility under NCLB through waivers.

DISPELLING THE MYTH: Duncan Defends NCLB Waivers in First Post-Election Speech Article

In his first post–Election Day remarks, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, by re-electing Barack Obama as president, the American people affirmed that education is “not just an expense on a budget line that can be sacrificed in tough economic times,” but that it is “an investment in the future of our nation and our children—all of our children.”

Twenty-Six New States and DC Request NCLB Waivers from U.S. Department of Education Article

As Congress continues to work on a rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), twenty-six new states and the District of Columbia (DC) formally submitted requests to the U.S. Department of Education for waivers from key provisions of NCLB on February 29.

CATCH THE WAIVE: Eleven States Receive Flexibility Under NCLB in Exchange for Reform Article

Eleven states will receive flexibility under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act in exchange for their commitment to raise standards, improve accountability, and undertake essential reforms to improve teacher effectiveness.

WAIVING AWAY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE ACCOUNTABILITY?: State NCLB Waiver Proposals Threaten to Weaken Accountability for High School Graduation Rates Article

In September 2011, with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—currently known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act—stalled in the U.S. Congress, President Obama outlined a plan to provide states flexibility within specific provisions of the law in exchange for state-led reform efforts to close achievement gaps, evaluate teachers and principals, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all students are on track to graduate ready for college and a career.

FLEX PLAN: Eleven States Submit Requests for Waivers from Key NCLB Provisions Article

On November 15, the U.S. Department of Education announced that eleven states—Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Tennessee—formally submitted requests for waivers from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

Alliance Analyzes Benefits and Concerns in Obama’s Flexibility Plan for High Schools Article

An analysis by the Alliance for Excellent Education reveals several elements in the flexibility policy that could benefit the nation’s high schools while also highlighting some concerns for these schools.

WAIVE AROUND: Obama Outlines Plan Allowing States to Waive Specific Provisions of No Child Left Behind Act Article

With the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—currently known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act—still under consideration in Congress, President Obama outlined a plan to provide states with flexibility from specific provisions of the law in exchange for state-led reform efforts to close achievement gaps, evaluate teachers and principals, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all students are on track to graduate ready for college and a career.

TO WAIVE OR NOT TO WAIVE: New CRS Report Finds Secretary of Education’s Waiver Authority Is “Very Broad” Under NCLB, but Does Not Include Power to “Unilaterally Impose” New Requirements on Grantees Article

A new report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) finds that the U.S. Secretary of Education may waive “any statutory or regulatory requirements” of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

DUNCAN RESPONDS TO REPUBLICANS’ REQUEST FOR MORE DETAILS OF WAIVER PLAN Article