Oklahoma granted ESEA waiver extension
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 9, 2015) — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said Oklahoma schools will maintain the benefits that come with continued flexibility from provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced earlier today that it is granting the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) an extension to a flexibility waiver to provide relief from some provisions of NCLB.
Hofmeister said the waiver is good news for schoolchildren but underscores the need for the end of NCLB.
“We are certainly grateful for the waiver extension, but our greater hope is that the ESEA reauthorization under consideration by Congress will put an end to the one-size-fits-all approach and excessive federal mandates of No Child Left Behind,” the superintendent said.
As part of the USDE decision, the one-year waiver would be extended to two additional years if OSDE demonstrates continued and significant progress by Aug. 1, 2016, in improving education and preparing high school graduates for college- and career-readiness.
In granting the waiver, USDE officials commended Oklahoma for the creation of several standing focus groups and advisory committees comprised of education stakeholders. In addition, the state has developed an Office of School Turnaround to provide professional development, coaching and technical assistance for priority schools.
