A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The authority comes under the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program (Ed-Flex). Under the Ed-Flex partnership, states can waive for their school districts and schools federal rules and regulations if a waiver would likely promote effective innovation and other school improvement efforts.

Riley said this break with the old top down approach to government was made possible by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, designed to promote and support state and community efforts to help students learn the basics and core subjects to high standards.

"Ed Flex is a striking example of new partnerships the Clinton administration is forming with states and communities to invigorate schools, help raise academic standards and enhance student achievement," Riley said. "The state of Illinois has worked to improve schools by eliminating constraints that can stand in the way of better teaching and learning, and by holding all schools, districts and the entire state responsible for better student performance."

Selection of Illinois as an Ed Flex state allows waiver decisions to be made by the state -- rather than the federal government -- giving the state the power to waive rules in order to better support local and state school improvement efforts in exchange for accountability for student progress.

Eleven other states -- Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Vermont -- have already received Ed Flex authority. Illinois is the twelfth and final state to earn the status under the Goals 2000 Act.

Under other waiver authorities administered by the department, 179 waivers of federal education requirements for schools, school districts and states have been approved. In each instance the waivers provide increased flexibility from federal education program rules in exchange for increased accountability for student progress. For example, Fort Worth's Independent School District received a waiver that allows it to target extra Title I dollars to four high poverty, inner-city, elementary schools selected for top to bottom reforms based on low achievement and other factors. The schools aim to increase academic achievement by reorganizing staff, lengthening the school year, intensifying instruction in reading and mathematics, providing extensive training for teachers, and strengthening the schools' links to their communities.

To further cut red tape and help with school improvement, the department has eliminated more than two thirds of the pages of regulations that govern federal elementary and secondary education programs under the President's Regulatory Reinvention Initiative. In doing so, the department has eliminated burdensome requirements and overlapping regulations and simplified numerous rules -- making them easier to understand.

To qualify for the waiver authority under the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program, Illinois designed and submitted its statewide school improvement plan under Goals 2000, developed by educators, parents, and civic and business leaders from around the state. Illinois also pledged to waive state requirements that apply to education and to hold schools and districts accountable for progress toward locally adopted goals for students' academic performance. For example, Illinois schools that receive waivers will annually report on how their waivers contribute to attaining school improvement goals. The state will also make Quality Assurance visits and provide follow up help to resolve waiver problems.

Under Ed Flex, school districts and schools in Illinois will be able to seek waivers from the state from requirements of the Perkins Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, including Title I, the Safe and Drug free Schools and Communities Program, the Eisenhower Professional Development Program, and others. Civil rights requirements cannot be waived. Likewise, waivers are not allowable under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Riley said the department's commitment to flexibility also is reflected in its implementation of the Goals 2000 Act, as the education reform law has no regulations.

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