Nearly half of Minnesota schools fail 'No Child' standards
Nearly half of the schools in Minnesota failed the federal government’s No Child Left Behind standards this year. That’s about the same percentage as last year.
The state Education Department today released its list of the schools that failed to make what officials call “Adequate Yearly Progress” in reading and math.
But, the Associated Press reports, this could be the last year the list is released. Minnesota is among states applying for a waiver, which would give the state a pass on some of the law’s requirements.
School administrators have long felt the law is unfair and tries to impose a one-size-fits-all mandate. “If you’re looking at holding schools accountable … this isn’t the best way to go about it,” a Duluth school official tells the News Tribune.
And the Star Tribune reports few students are taking advantage of their “No Child” options. The law allows students in under-performing districts to transfer out and get private tutoring on the district’s tab. But few students do, and officials say it’s money misspent.