WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Education announced it had granted Pennsylvania’s request for a waiver from certain requirements of the federal “No Child Left Behind” law.
Pennsylvania is the 41st state to receive relief from the Bush-era law’s mandate requiring 100 percent proficiency in reading and math by 2014, a goal widely acknowledged as nearly impossible. As a condition of the waiver, Pennsylvania will develop and implement its own plan to improve under-performing schools and institute more rigorous teacher evaluation and school accountability systems.
“I commend the U.S. Department of Education for granting this waiver, which will provide Pennsylvania with the flexibility to develop and implement its own accountability systems to boost student achievement. We know that Pennsylvania’s economic success depends on the quality of education we provide to our children. We have a responsibility to make smart, strategic investments in public education to ensure that our children have the tools to succeed in the classroom and in life,” Congresswoman Schwartz said.
“The No Child Left Behind law is flawed and must be reformed. I urge my Republican colleagues in Congress to put ideology aside and work with Democrats to rewrite the law to ensure that all children receive a high-quality education, accountability is a top priority, and that our teachers have the support they need.”
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