Obama frees N.J., nine other states from No Child Left Behind

A White House official told the Associated Press that New Jersey and nine other states will get No Child Left Behind waivers under President Barack Obama’s plan to give states more education flexibility.

NCLB requires all students to be proficient in math and reading by 2014 — a standard many school districts have struggled with.

Update, 3:20 p.m. Obama spoke earlier today, confirming he’ll free 10 states from the act. Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Tennessee have all also agreed to make the changes necessary to get the NCLB exemption.

States can apply for waivers provided they have alternative plans for achieving students proficiency.

 

New Jersey’s plan involves prioritizing the schools that need the most help based on low grades, graduation rates and achievement gaps.