MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Education has notified the U.S. Department of Education of its intent to file an application for ESEA Flexibility in mid-February, 2012 for a Spring 2012 review.

“Hawaii is taking another bold step forward to accelerate education reform, raise accountability, and ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said. “ESEA Flexibility will provide states with a rigorous alternative to the current No Child Left Behind one-size-fits-all approach and the responsibility to redefine academic success beyond Adequate Yearly Progress.”

Schools will continue to be required to raise the bar for performance for all students and be held accountable for the academic growth and gain of all students.

In the upcoming months, the state Department of Education will be engaging and soliciting input from diverse stakeholders and communities in the development of its request.

The U.S. Department of Education has offered each state educational agency this voluntary opportunity to request flexibility regarding specific requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.

State educational agencies must notify the U.S. Department of Education of their intent to request ESEA Flexibility by Oct. 12.

— Find out more:
ESEA Flexibility: www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility