The Delaware Department of Education is currently fine-tuning the state’s waiver for flexibility in federal accountability. Before the application is due on February 6, the Department is receiving and integrating feedback and suggestions from the public. If Delaware’s application is approved, schools would not be required to meet No Child Left Behind’s strict requirement that 100 percent of students achieve proficiency by 2013-14.
The Department has hosted three community townhall meetings – one in each county – to inform Delawareans about the state’s draft application and to receive input on how to improve the plan. If the application is approved, schools will gain more flexibility with some funding, such as dollars designated for choice and supplemental education services. Districts and schools will have the opportunity to adopt and implement meaningful improvements to benefit their students. Due to the state’s current Race to the Top initiatives, work is already underway in Delaware that meets the waiver requirements, such as college and career readiness.
If Delaware did not seek this waiver, schools that wouldn’t meet the 100% proficiency goals for all of their students would be subject to sanctions, such as school improvement, corrective action or restructuring.