Obama Administration will waive some requirements of No Child Left Behind

September 23, 2011

President Obama issued remarks (video, transcript) today about his administration's plan to waive certain requirements for states under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("No Child Left Behind").  The law requires 100 percent of students, including those with disabilities, to be proficient in math and reading by 2014.  The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 80 percent of schools currently do not meet these proficiency standards, and would be labeled as failing if the law is not reformed.  In exchange for relief from these standards, states must adopt "college- and career-ready" standards and develop a new accountability system that recognizes and rewards schools that show the greatest overall student progress.  For more information, read the White House fact sheet on ESEA flexibility or read the White House press release.