Too Progressive

Virginia may opt out of Every No Child Left Behind as soon as June 30, 2009.  That is, assuming the federal law still exist (in it’s current state or not).   Legislation cleared the G.A. yesterday that would direct the VA Board of Education to direct whether the Commonwealth should pull out of the federal school education accountability system.

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.

 At the Federal level, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) will introduce a bill this Spring that would amend the failed piece of legislation which requires annual testing of children in grades 3-12.  Schools must show annual progress or face a cut in funding.  Also worth noting is that in January a lawsuit by the National Education Association was revived by the 6th circuit U.S. Court of Appeals that challenged the law as an unfunded mandate.

[Cross posted on Daily Kos]

Posted on March 9th, 2008