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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Pierluisi Reiterates the Need to Reform No Child Left Behind

Washington, DC—Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi reiterated today the need to reform No Child Left Behind (NCLB), while offering his support for the request filed by the Puerto Rico Department of Education (PRDE). The request is for the federal government to grant a waiver to the PRDE from certain provisions of the NCLB law for the purpose of improving teaching and learning on the Island.

“This waiver has been requested by 47 U.S. jurisdictions. These requests are evidence of the need to revisit the NCLB. We need more flexibility in the use of federal funds received in order to implement local programs that prepare students for college and careers, increase aid to needy students, and support effective teaching methods and leadership,” said Pierluisi.

“Our goal is for every child on the Island to receive a world-class education. We want to introduce advanced educational reforms, superior to those required under current law, which is inflexible and is not fulfilling its purpose,” said the Resident Commissioner.

This law—known formally as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—has been awaiting reauthorization in Congress since 2007. Because of this inaction, in September 2011 the Obama Administration announced that it would grant waivers to qualifying states and territories on a case-by-case basis. The first waivers were granted in February 2012.

“This is truly a nationwide movement and the message from coast to coast is clear: America cannot wait any longer for real education reform. My hope is that Congress will come together to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but we know that states need flexibility now,” said the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, Arne Duncan.

The 34 U.S. jurisdictions that have been approved for waivers from NCLB are: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The 13 additional jurisdictions with pending applications for waivers include: Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia, the Federal Bureau of Indian Education, and Puerto Rico.

“In Puerto Rico, we have worked hard to improve our education system. We have developed and invested in the 21st Century Schools program. Thanks to this program, each municipality will have the best and most advanced resources for their students. This investment will impact more than 40,000 students and 3,500 teachers. Each of the projects financed through the program is helping provide students with the excellent education they deserve. However, much more remains to be done and the U.S. Department of Education can play a constructive role in helping the government of Puerto Rico implement these reforms,” said Pierluisi.