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Obama relieves New Jersey of No Child Left Behind education standards
President Barack Obama on Thursday declared that New Jersey and nine other states are free from the federal No Child Left Behind education law, allowing them to avoid some of the more unpopular and rigorous mandates.
In exchange, New Jersey and the other states are promising higher standards and more inventive ways to measure what students are learning.
At the White House, Obama said he acted because the Republican-controlled Congress had failed to update the law despite widespread agreement it needs to be fixed.
“We’ve offered every state the same deal,” the president said. “If you’re willing to set higher, more honest standards than the one ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we’re going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards.” (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
