Washington, DC, October 29, 2008 – The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its final Title I regulations under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. This draws to a close a process that ED began in April with public comments submitted in June. In the final regulations, ED appropriately adopted a uniform graduation rate—originally developed and agreed to by states—but unfortunately they added unnecessary burdens that will complicate state and local efforts to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps.
“The Council appreciates ED’s receptivity on issues such as including the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, but we remain concerned that the more problematic issues such as the appropriate use of graduation rate goals were not reconsidered as part of the final regulations,“ states CCSSO Executive Director Gene Wilhoit. “These regulations come at a time of tight state budgets and when more schools and districts are entering into improvement status. Instead of finding ways to work in partnership with states and districts to enhance learning for all students, ED has issued regulations that will punish schools and districts under the current one-size-fits all system.”
The regulations will add more layers of paperwork and administrative burdens, rather than focus on what we should expect of our nation’s children. The Council intends to move the dialogue from discrete compliance issues to one of ensuring all students complete high school prepared for college and the workforce. It is time we build on what was learned over the implementation of NCLB and work in concert with ED and others to raise the bar by addressing shared challenges.
“Chiefs will be convening at the Council’s Annual Policy Forum and Business Meeting in a couple weeks to return our attention to how we achieve our shared vision of an American education system that enables all children to succeed in school, work, and life,” remarks Wilhoit. “There we will lay out the direction states need to move in the areas of standards, assessments, and accountability; educator development; data systems; and systems of support for student learning. The meeting will also start the clock on the Council’s rollout of a short- and long-term advocacy platform for the President-elect and 111th Congress.”
The Council’s comments on the proposed Title I regulations submitted last June are available for review in the form of a cover letter and a more detailed enclosure.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
