LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Education Department wants a federal waiver from the academic progress standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind law.
State Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell said Monday that he plans to apply for the waiver in February.
Kimbrell says the state needs more flexibility as it puts its own stricter education standards in place. The state is introducing its Common Core academic standards and making it easier for a school district to be declared in academic distress.
Arkansas is among 44 states to have adopted the Common Core standards, which it will phase in through 2014.
The department is to hold a series of meetings across the state in November and December to get input on what elements should be detailed in the waiver application.
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