Thirty-four states and Washington, D.C. have gotten approval to use their own school accountability measures instead of the stringent guidelines from the federal No Child Left Behind Law.
In a letter sent to school district superintendents and charter school leaders on Friday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said federal officials are prepared to reject California’s application for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind Law.
Under the law, all students are expected to be proficient in math and reading by 2014. That goal has been widely criticized as unrealistic.
The law only applies to schools that get federal funding to support low-income students, about 480 out of 739 schools in San Diego County. Of those, two-thirds are under sanctions because student test scores aren’t improving fast enough. Statewide, 70 percent of schools have missed student proficiency targets.
Schools that miss targets have to notify parents. Families can move students to higher performing schools and under the law must receive free transportation. Schools are required to set aside some of their federal funds for student tutoring and transportation.
Without a waiver, more schools in San Diego County and the state are expected to face sanctions next year.
