Education Minnesota reaction to letter regarding No Child Left Behind waiver
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 16, 2011 -- The following is a statement from Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher regarding the letter from Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius seeking a waiver from No Child Left Behind provisions:
"Relief from No Child Left Behind is necessary and overdue. NCLB has failed our children through an unrealistic fixation on high stakes tests that unfairly labeled talented students and quality schools as failures. 'Test and punish' is no way to educate children or evaluate schools.
"Minnesota challenges require Minnesota solutions. Teachers have said for a long time that Minnesota can close the achievement gap by focusing resources and attention on the schools where students struggle the most. We are pleased that Commissioner Cassellius’ waiver letter suggests exactly that approach, incorporating input from individual communities and employing research-based methods that are proven to help children learn. And the administration’s commitment to early childhood learning is an example of investment in education that will benefit everyone in the future.
"This waiver process is an opportunity for Minnesota to build on its nation-leading reputation for excellence in public schools and make a good thing even better. America needs a renaissance in education that goes beyond basic skills and instead encompasses all fields of learning, with a focus on identifying and nurturing each student's strengths and abilities. That is the kind of education policy that will move our society and our nation forward."
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EducationMN.
August 16, 2011