FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2015
Contact: Josh Collins, josh.collins@state.mn.us, 651-582-8205

U.S. Department of Education Approves Minnesota’s Flexibility Waiver from No Child Left Behind

ROSEVILLE – Today the U.S. Department of Education (USED) approved Minnesota’s request to renew the state’s flexibility waiver from parts of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as No Child Left Behind, through the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

Minnesota’s waiver has allowed the state to develop a stronger, smarter system for holding schools accountable and supporting them in the critical work of reducing achievement gaps, increasing graduation rates and preparing students for career and college.

Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on a phone call with news reporters today, saying:

“Minnesota’s waiver has been a great success. Our waiver brought additional urgency to our efforts to close achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all kids, and paved the way for a fairer, more transparent accountability system that helps provide targeted support to schools that need it most, while shining a light on schools that are successfully raising achievement for all students.”

USED announced renewed waivers for five states today, including Minnesota. Read the press release from USED. Read Minnesota’s letter of approval from Assistant Secretary of Education Deborah Delisle. View Minnesota’s application on the USED website. For more information about Minnesota’s flexibility waiver, visit the Minnesota Department of Education website.

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