Washington, DC – Chiefs for Change, an organization of chief state education officers committed to putting children first through visionary education reform, today congratulated the ten states receiving waivers from provisions of No Child Left Behind. Those states include Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

“These waivers will allow states to implement innovative strategies that address their specific challenges and improve student achievement. We at Chiefs for Change applaud the U.S. Department of Education for keeping high standards in the process of providing flexibility.  Flexibility without reform benefits no one, most importantly students,” said Dr. Tony Bennett, Chairman of Chiefs for Change and Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, whose state received a waiver today.

Chiefs for Change urges the Department to continue to maintain this high bar in the process of working with states in the second round. “Those of us applying for waivers in the second round are very grateful to have the first round applicants serve as a template,” said Stephen Bowen, a member of Chiefs for Change and the Maine Commissioner of Education. “We can learn from the first round applicants’ successes and challenges to make our own applications stronger and more complete. They have provided us a roadmap.” 

While Chiefs for Change has a number of suggestions for how the U.S. Department of Education could improve the waiver process – including clarifying the guidelines, aligning peer reviewer and Department feedback, and dedicating a peer review team to each state – it believes the experience of the first round will help streamline the process used by the Department for review and approvals.  

Chiefs for Change believes that waivers that provide flexibility without removing accountability are vital for the success of our nation’s schools and, most importantly, or nation’s children. To arrange an interview with members of Chiefs for Change, please contact Jaryn@ExcelinEd.org.

Chiefs for Change is a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders that share a zeal for education reform. Together, they provide a strong voice for bold reform on the federal, state and local level. It is committed to putting children first through bold, visionary education reform that will increase student achievement and prepare students for success in colleges and careers. Visit www.ChiefsforChange.org for more information about Chiefs for Change.