Feds Deny Iowa No Child Left Behind Waiver

Apple and stack of books

Tools

By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jun 21, 2012 at 5:33 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 21, 2012 at 5:33 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education has denied Iowa's request for a waiver from key provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind rules.

Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass says the state's application was denied because lawmakers in a bill passed this year requires any changes in teacher evaluations to be first approved by the Legislature.

Glass says he warned lawmakers that such a requirement would mean rejection. He says it's a missed opportunity for Iowa schools to find relief from the 2002 law. Glass says the law holds schools to unrealistic measures and then blames them for failure.

Gov. Terry Branstad says responsibility for the denial lies squarely at the feet of the Iowa Legislature, which did too little to improve schools despite repeated warnings.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.


read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

What's On KCRG