Barnstable Public Schools Waived on Provisions of No Child Left Behind

In February, Massachusetts was one of ten states notified by the U.S. Department of Education that it was granted a waiver from some of the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  

A note from Czajkowski:

This waiver will allow Barnstable Public Schools to better focus on improving student learning and increasing the quality of instruction for all students. 

This waiver will provide more flexibility in ensuring high standards for all students as the district moves towards the closing the achievement gap. Barnstable’s progress along with other schools in the Commonwealth will be measured by the following criteria: 

•  MCAS results in ELA, Mathematics, Science 

•  Student growth 

•  Graduation rates and drop out rates 

•  Moving students from lower levels of performance to higher levels of performance (needs improvement to advanced) 

In addition, schools will no longer have to meet the criteria that ALL students achieve proficiency by 2014. Massachusetts will no longer mandate NCLB School Choice and supplemental educational services.  

Rather, additional supports will be included such as expanded learning opportunities, tutoring, and targeted instruction for struggling students. 

Massachusetts continues to be a leader in developing rigorous standards aligned with the Common Core Standards, developing assessments, which measure growth, and developing a new system for educator evaluation, all of which will lead to improved student learning for all students. 

Last, this waiver will allow Barnstable and schools across the Commonwealth to move away from the “one size fits all approach” and will allow teachers and students to set more realistic targets and goals for improved student learning and teaching.