Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/45361
Azusa Pacific University SCHOOL OF EDUCATION A closer look at the NCLB/ESEA waivers The waiver process announced by President Obama in Sep- tember would exempt schools in participating states from the 2014 "100 percent proficiency" target of No Child Left Behind. Instead, states would establish their own ambitious but achievable goals for all schools and students in math and reading/language arts. The fine print: The waivers require states to develop a teacher (and principal) support and evaluation system heavily based on student progress, measured by test scores. Observations, portfolios and other methods may be used, but progress of all students, including those with disabilities and English language learners, will be the major factor. While the exist- ing four turnaround models (turnaround, transformation, restart, closure) for struggling schools would be expanded or replaced, School Improvement Grant (SIG) schools would still operate under the four original options. The waiver process applies to the current rules under NCLB/ESEA; a reauthoriza- tion of ESEA would probably make the waivers obsolete. There is no option for individual local district or county requests; the applications must be made on behalf of entire states. No new funding will be provided to states to implement the waiver program. Our take: Unfortunately, this waiver proposal process swaps one federal top-down mandate for another and continues to hold states and local schools hostage to the same "reforms" of the Race to the Top competition. We need thoughtful dis- cussions about what our kids need to succeed. We know that one-size-fits-all federal mandates don't work and that par- ents and educators in local communities must be involved in determining what works best for their students. We look for- ward to working with the administration and Congress on real long-term solutions built on reforms proven to help students and schools. Deadlines: The first round of waiver requests and state plans are due by Nov. 14, 2011, although for review planning purposes states were asked to notify their intent by Oct. 12 (California made no notification of intent by this deadline). Submissions will be reviewed in December, and the U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce approvals by January 2012. A second round of submissions will take place in February 2012, with review and approval notifications taking place by late spring. Some implementations may take place as early as spring 2012, but the majority will be targeted toward the 2012-13 school year. Detailed information, forms, etc. can be found at www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility. 12629 AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO | VENTURA COUNTY | ONLINE October 2011 / www.cta.org 35 Darin Curtis, M.A. '95 Tierra del Sol Middle School 2011 California Teacher of the Year Earn your degree from a university known for excellence in education. Azusa Pacific has a reputation for consistently producing innovative and comprehensively prepared educators. Our graduates serve as teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators throughout Southern California, and are known in their schools and districts as leaders in their field. Choose from more than 40 credential and degree options at APU, including a bachelor's degree completion program in liberal studies, and join a 112-year legacy of commitment to excellence in education. Programs start five times throughout the year. Contact us today! www.apu.edu/explore/education (800) 825-5278