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

       FOR RELEASE                     News Media Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico     September 4, 1996                                  (202) 401-1008                                     Program Contact: Waiver Assistance                                                      (202) 402-7801

New Mexico Given Unprecedented Statewide Flexibility in Education Programs

Statewide, school district and individual school waivers designed to cut red tape are available under a new "Ed Flex" partnership between New Mexico and the U.S. Department of Education.

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 help raise academic standards, improve student achievement and add discipline to our schools," Riley said. "The state of New Mexico 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 student performance."

Selection of New Mexico as the ninth Ed Flex state allows waiver decisions to be made by the state -- not the federal government -- giving the state the power to waive rules that can limit local and state school improvement efforts in exchange for accountability for student progress.

Eight states -- Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Vermont -- have already received Ed Flex authority. A total of twelve states will earn the status under the Goals 2000 Act.

To qualify for the waiver authority under the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program, New Mexico designed and submitted its statewide comprehensive school improvement plan, developed by educators, parents, and civic and business leaders from around the state. New Mexico also pledged to waive numerous state requirements that apply to education and to hold schools and districts accountable for progress toward locally adopted goals for students' academic performance.

School districts and schools in New Mexico 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 provisions, Eisenhower Professional Development, and other programs. Civil rights requirements will not be waived. Likewise, waivers are not allowable under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

For example, in its application for Ed Flex status, New Mexico stated that to advance local initiatives to improve teaching and learning, the state would consider granting waivers to allow more local schools to use their Title I funds to improve the instructional program for all students in a school, rather than tracking dollars to specific services for particular students.

Goals 2000 supports efforts to improve local schools, raise student academic achievement, involve parents in schools, bring technology into the classroom, upgrade teachers' skills and knowledge throughout their careers, and create partnerships with business and community groups. Under Goals 2000, New Mexico received more than $3.5 million in the first two years of funding, and received $2.6 million this July.

Riley said the department's commitment to flexibility also is reflected in its implementation of the Goals 2000 Act. The education reform law has no regulations, nor will any be issued.

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