State eyes waiver to No Child Left Behind

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Updated: March 29, 2012 8:02AM

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education says it has completed a waiver request to the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

That request approved by the state board proposes using multiple measures to evaluate the nearly 4,000 public schools in Illinois, according to a written statement by ISBE. Its overarching goal is to cut in half achievement gaps and the percent of students not making progress by 2018.

“Under this waiver, Illinois will move forward with a comprehensive accountability system that uses multiple measures of gauging student performance to ensure college and career readiness,” State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch said in a written statement.

“This new system will emphasize student progress over time to better drive instruction and track educational effectiveness.”

Waivers to NCLB requirements must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by Tuesday.

NCLB sets benchmarks for student scores on standardized tests, along with interventions for the schools and districts that do not meet them. More than 1,300 elementary schools across Illinois were failing by 2010, according to those federal standards, and that number is expected to jump at the end of this school year.

Illinois’ waiver would replace NCLB benchmarks with a new system that the ISBE said would provide statewide support, innovation and flexibility to reach benchmarks.

The new system would evaluate Illinois schools and districts on a five-star rating system according to a Multiple Measures Index that would look at outcomes such as graduation rates; achievement in math, reading and science; and student progress, including growth and English language proficiency. The index would look at educational context, including school climate and course offerings, as a bonus category, according to ISBE.

Those ratings earned by schools and districts would align with various rewards, supports and interventions, the state board said.

The U.S. Department of Education has granted waivers to portions of NCLB to 10 states since President Barack Obama announced the waivers last fall, ISBE said. Illinois expects to be notified this spring if it will receive a waiver.