The Iowa Department of Education will give Iowans a chance to weigh in on a plan to request a waiver from requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) during a statewide series of public meetings from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9.
Department leaders will visit all nine AEAs, starting with AEA 267 in Cedar Falls on Jan. 31 and ending with Northwest AEA in Sioux City and Prairie Lakes AEA in Pocahontas on Feb. 9. (Click here for a complete schedule of meeting dates, times and locations.) Heartland’s meeting will be held on Feb. 7.
The Department will present details about Iowa’s waiver request and plans to develop a new accountability system that puts student achievement first but also focuses on student growth and assessments that align with the Iowa Core standards. In September, the U.S. Department of Education invited states to apply for flexibility from specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans. Iowa’s application will be submitted by Feb. 21.
States must address the following principles in their waiver applications: college and career-ready expectations for all students; state-developed systems for differentiated recognition, accountability and support; and support for effective instruction and leadership, including new guidelines for local teacher and principal evaluation and support systems.
In a new video, Iowa Department of Education director Jason Glass addresses the purpose of Iowa’s waiver request.
Iowans who are unable to attend the public meetings can submit comments in writing to wilma.gajdel@iowa.gov until 4 p.m. on Feb. 1.
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