California is not among the eleven states applying for waivers from the federal No Child Left Behind education law. In September, the Obama Administration gave states the option of waivers from parts of the law. But State Board of Education President Michael Kirst said the changes would come with high costs, so California should wait and see. He is also concerned some of the changes would require new state legislation.
"They are requiring for the waiver changes in how we evaluate principals and teachers and the board I do not believe has the authority to do this on its own," said Kirst. "It would need the legislature to act. And they're not even convening until January."
Last week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson told the board it would cost at least two-billion dollars to meet the Obama Administration requirements for waivers from No Child Left Behind.
