News Brief

11/28/12

Ed. Dept. Emphasizes Graduation-Rate Accountability in Letter to States

Education Week (11/28/12) McNeil, MicheleU.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has issued a "Dear Colleague" letter to chief state school officers reinforcing that the requirement of calculating high school completions still applies even under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waivers. Graduation-rate accountability must be a significant part of accountability systems, and they must be calculated in the same way as outlined in 2008 regulations. "We believe that the state-designed accountability systems implemented under [Elementary and Secondary Education Act] flexibility will result in more-effective and meaningful accountability for all schools and students, including all subgroups of students, and will lead to more-effective interventions in schools with low graduation rates," he said in the letter. It also provided a state-by-state list of graduation-rate targets for all states obtaining waivers under the NCLB law.

This news brief was summarized for Chiefline, CCSSO's weekly newsletter. Click here to receive Chiefline in your inbox weekly. Newsbrief Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC.