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The first round of applications for relief from the federal No Child Left Behind Act are due on Monday. But Connecticut will wait until the next year to apply.
Washington lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to fix No Child Left Behind, so the Obama administration is allowing states to apply for waivers from certain parts of the controversial federal education law. In exchange for flexibility, states have to agree to certain reforms, including accountability plans and rigorous teacher evaluations. States also have to demonstrate ways they collaborate with parents and unions.
Once a waiver is approved, states are relieved from the 2014 deadline that mandates 100% of students be proficient in math and reading. That’s something that most states, including Connecticut, are highly unlikely to achieve.
Some states have complained that the cost to implement the waiver requirements is too high, and may end up replacing one set of requirements for another.
Connecticut education officials say the state is expected to apply for a waiver in February 2012.