News Release

Department of Education Proposal Would Allow More Flexibility Under ‘No Child Left Behind’ 

NEA President Welcomes Response to Calls for Better Ways to Evaluate Students with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, DC -- Heeding educators’ calls, the Department of Education today proposed regulations that give schools more flexibility in measuring the achievement of students with disabilities under the sweeping so-called No Child Left Behind law.

 National Education Association (NEA) President Reg Weaver, leader of the nation’s largest professional organization of educators, welcomed the change as “another small step in the right direction” but cautioned that more substantive changes are necessary to “fix and fund” the law.

 “Since its adoption, NEA has sought accommodations for children who are poorly served by the law’s one-size-fits-all approach,” Weaver said. “Little by little, the department has agreed with teachers that not every child learns the same way or at the same speed. Although it is not the ideal solution, this is a commendable revision.”

 Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said the proposal is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities who may not reach grade levels within the same time frame as their peers. They can, however, make strides with appropriate instruction. The proposal will implement the policy for “modified achievement standards for certain students with disabilities” announced by Spellings in April.

 While progress is being made to fix the law, Weaver said Congress is failing to fund it. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote today on an education appropriations bill that would strip $779 million in NCLB funding, cutting funding below the level set three years ago.  The bill before the House today would also reduce the federal share of special education funding from 18.6 percent to 18 percent.

 House leaders are pushing an additional 1 percent cut to all programs, including public education, which would push the total reduction in NCLB funding over $1 billion.

 “It’s going to be hard to implement these changes if Congress robs a billion dollars from public schools,” Weaver said. “Any way you look at it, we are moving backwards in our education priorities."  

Dec. 14, 2005

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NEA Contact:
Cecil Cahoon, Public Relations, (202) 822-7756
Staci Maiers, Public Relations, (202) 822-7150

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, college faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.