ESEA Flexibility
Overview
The U.S. Department of Education is inviting each State educational agency (SEA) to request flexibility on behalf of itself, its local educational agencies, and schools, in order to better focus on improving student learning and increasing the quality of instruction. This voluntary opportunity will provide educators and State and local leaders with flexibility regarding specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive State-developed plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.
26 More States and D.C. Seek Flexibility from NCLB to Drive Education Reforms in Second Round of Requests
Twenty-six new states and the District of Columbia have formally submitted requests to the U.S. Department of Education for waivers from key provisions of No Child Left Behind. This adds to the 11 states that the Obama Administration announced earlier this month had developed and agreed to implement bold education reforms in exchange for relief from burdensome federal mandates.
ESEA Flexibility Requests and Related Documents
This page provides access to ESEA Flexibility Requests submitted by states, and other related documents.
Support for States
Technical Assistance Documents
Obama Administration Sets High Bar for Flexibility from No Child Left Behind in Order to Advance Equity and Support Reform
Washington In an effort to support local and state education reform across America, the White House today outlined how states can get relief from provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Actor No Child Left Behind (NCLB)in exchange for serious state-led efforts to close achievement gaps, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all student
Obama Administration Proceeds with Reform of No Child Left Behind Following Congressional Inaction
With the new school year fast approaching and still no bill to reform the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, the Obama administration will provide a process for states to seek relief from key provisions of the law, provided that they are willing to embrace education reform.
Statement by Secretary Arne Duncan on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s Passage of H.R. 2445
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released this statement regarding the House Education and Workforce Committee's Passage of H.R. 2445:
Obama Administration Plans NCLB 'Flexibility' Package Tied to Reform If Congress Does Not Act Soon on Reauthorization
The Obama Administration plans to provide regulatory flexibility around No Child Left Behind (NCLB) if Congress does not complete work on a reauthorization bill prior to the August recess, in order to help support reform efforts underway at the state and local level.
Director of Community Outreach to Discuss Reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act at 35th Annual Conference of the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents
Alberto Retana, director of Community Outreach for the U.S. Department of Education, will serve as one of six panelists discussing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization in Title I at the 35th Annual In-Service Conference of the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents on March 17 in Oak Brook, Ill.