What's the status of Missouri's NCLB waiver?

What’s the status of Missouri

         and No Child Left Behind?

            State Board approved a very preliminary DRAFT of the NCLB waiver request on 12/5 and accepted public comment through 1/5. 

            DESE held talks on MSIP 5 over the summer, and as a result, made changes in the MSIP 5 presented to the state board in August.  MSIP 5 does form one of the three sections of the waiver request.   

What is MNEA's position?  

We don't have one yet, it is too early.  Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) recently known as No Child Left Behind, (NCLB) is stalled.  As of Friday, Dec. 16, Rep. George Miller, ranking member of the House committee that covers education, reports Republicans have walked out of discussions on reauthorization of ESEA.   Without a waiver, our members will most likely have to again send letters home to parents explaining that their school "Failed AYP."  80% of schools in Missouri had to send home those letters, as Missouri has the second highest standards of all states.  The target for 2014 is 100% of students at proficient for their grade level, and every school will be labeled failing. 

The waiver would also end use of the "highly qualified teacher" definition and allow states to use their own certification process. 

Commissioner Nicastro states that DESE is also undecided about whether to submit a waiver request. She wants input from all stakeholders on the issue, and what a waiver request would look like if Missouri does request a waiver.   

Missouri NEA is working to get the best language we can for our members and for students.  We are working with DESE to craft language that does not include using MAP test results to evaluate teachers and principals, but instead uses local assessments. We will not make a decision about supporting the waiver request until more is known. It will not be too late to oppose it then, should Missouri NEA's elected leaders decide that is the best for our members and Missouri students.