Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Education of Monday granted Texas schools a waiver regarding No Child Left Behind standards.
- 85% of the Lone Star state's school districts are considered to be failing, according to the federal accountability law, but now only 15% Texas' worst-performing schools will see federal repercussions.
- Texas follows 41 other states and Washington, D.C., in receiving such a waiver.
Dive Insight:
No Child Left Behind was passed in 2001, but many states will still enjoy waivers through spring 2016. Texas will have its exemption status through the end of the 2013-14 school year, but the state agreed after prolonged negotiations that it must update its evaluation practices for principals and teachers within that period to extend its waiver. Underperforming schools will want to see that happen.