Mass. May Opt Out Of 'No Child Left Behind' Law

Massachusetts may be opting out of the No Child Left Behind Law. State Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester is asking the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to back his request for a waiver from the federal requirement that all children be proficient in reading and math by 2014.

More than 40 states are considering waivers amid concerns that the current rules are flawed and would result in the most of the nation's schools being labeled as underachieving.

States have until Nov. 14 to submit alternative educational accountability plans.

Chester said the state has its own five-tiered system for evaluating student progress, with the two lowest levels indicating schools that are under-performing and in need of intervention.

The board is expected to discuss the proposed waiver Monday night with a vote scheduled for Tuesday.