States need more flexibility and less punishment as they work toward meeting the student achievement goals set under the No Child Left Behind Act, school directors told federal officials this past week.

Representatives of the U.S. Department of Education held a field hearing in Seattle May 22 regarding a number of proposed administrative changes to the act. Originally approved in 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act is currently up for reauthorization. Attempts to reauthorize the Act have stalled in Congress, however, prompting the Bush administration to seek revisions the through administrative rule-making.

One of the key changes would require all states to use a single federal formula to track and report high school graduation rates. Other changes would require schools to notify parents of their right to transfer students out of failing schools two weeks before the start of each school year, and to explain more fully to parents the opportunities for federally financed tutoring that are available to students attending schools that are falling short of NCLB achievement targets.

Among those commenting at the Seattle hearing were WSSDA President-elect Martha Rice (Yakima), WSSDA Federal Relations Network Chair Patty Wood (Kelso) and Tukwila School Board President Mary Fertakis. The three took the opportunity to emphasize the need for changes that will give states more flexibility in measuring student achievement, particularly for English language learners, low income students, and students with disabilities. They also noted that the law’s approach to counting the same student in multiple categories forces many schools into "needs improvement" status even though they are making significant progress on student learning.

The Seattle hearing was the last of four held around the country. The department will continue to take input until June 23 via postal mail and online comments. For additional information on the proposed changes, see the links at right.