Fwd: [ARN-state] Virginia Legislature Adopts Bill Allowing NCLB Opt-Out

[Susan Harman <susanharman@igc.org>]

Its happening.
Susan

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>
> Date: Sun Mar 9, 2008  8:33:44 AM US/Pacific
> To: ARN Main List <arn-l@interversity.org>,  arn2-strategy  
> <arn2-strategy@yahoogroups.com>, ARN State <ARN-state@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [ARN-state] Virginia Legislature Adopts Bill Allowing NCLB  
> Opt-Out
> Reply-To: ARN-state@yahoogroups.com
>
> ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO ALLOW "NO CHILD" OPT-OUT
> Washington Post -- March 9, 2008
>
> Richmond -- Virginia's Board of Education would be directed to  
> recommend
> whether the state should pull out of a federal school accountability
> system under legislation that cleared the General Assembly Saturday. It
> now awaits consideration by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).
>
> Virginia is among several states in which officials have argued that  
> the
> federal government has failed to provide enough funding and flexibility
> to carry out the No Child Left Behind law, which requires annual  
> testing
> in math and reading for many children.
>
> The measure that passed the House on Friday and the Senate on Saturday
> would not have an immediate impact. If the Board of Education  
> recommends
> withdrawal from the federal accountability system, the bill would
> require the board to present a plan to the governor and legislature by
> June 30, 2009.
>
> Congress is considering whether to amend the 6-year-old federal law.
> Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) has said he plans to introduce a bill
> this spring.
>
> The federal law requires annual testing in grades three through eight
> and once in high school. Schools and school systems must show annual
> progress, and the results must include scores for subgroups of students
> such as ethnic minorities, disabled students and those with limited
> English skills.
>
> The law has been credited with revealing pockets of struggling  
> students.
> But states and localities have complained they are stuck with too much
> of the cost. Some also argue that the law is too rigid.
>
> In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit revived a
> lawsuit by the National Education Association and several school  
> systems
> that challenged the law as an unfunded mandate. The U.S. Education
> Department is appealing.
>
>
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/ 
> AR2008030802333_pf.html
>
>
>
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