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The
No
Child
Left
Behind
act
of
2001
(NCLB)
set
a
goal
of
all
students
becoming
proficient
(100-percent
proficiency)
by
2014.
As
we
approach
that
date,
the
inflexibility
of
the
law
has
become
apparent.
As
Congress
considers
reauthorization
of
the
Elementary
and
Secondary
Education
Act
(ESEA),
the
U.S.
Department
of
Education
is
allowing
states
to
apply
for
“flexibility”
regarding
some
of
the
provisions
of
ESEA.
Rhode
Island
is
applying
for
flexibility
during
the
2nd
round
of
applications,
in
February
2012.
Flexibility
for
Rhode
Island
would
mean
major
changes
to
our
accountability
and
classifications
systems.
These
changes
would
allow
us
to
strengthen
our
accountability
system
– We
are
not
interested
in
retreating
from
accountability.
Rhode
Island
is
considering
revamping
these
areas,
among
others:
We
want
our
accountability
system
to
measure
the
“extent
of
gaps,”
not
treating
all
missed
targets
equally.
We
are
interested
in
using
data
other
than
state
summative
assessments;
these
data
might
include
measures
of
school
climate,
teacher preparation,
and
the
efficacy
of
professional
development.
We
want
to
fine-tune
the
interventions
that
we
will
initiate
for
schools
that
miss
targets
so
that
these
interventions
can
be
based
on
the
particular
needs
of
schools.
We
want
to
develop
a
clear
definition
of
career-ready
standards
as a
frame
for
the
accountability
system.
We
want
to
ensure
that
our
measures
of
accountability
are
clear
and
transparent.
RIDE's
Presentation
to
Stakeholders
Regarding
ESEA
Flexibility
Rhode
Island's
Draft
Request
for
ESEA
Flexibility,
January
2012
Throughout
December,
January,
and
February, we
engaged
in
outreach
to
many
stakeholders,
including
representatives
of
school
leadership,
teachers,
parents,
students, community
and
business
leaders,
and
others,
to
get
input
and
feedback
to
help
us
develop
and
refine
our
application
for
flexibility.
All
feedback
was
received
by
February
14.
Completed
Public
Events:
-
December 12: Public forum to gather input on Rhode Island's flexibility request - 6:30-8:30 p.m., 255 Westminster Street, Providence
-
January 9: Public forum to gather input on Rhode Island's flexibility request - 6-8 p.m., Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker Street, Providence
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February 1: Public forum to receive feedback on Rhode Island's draft flexibility request - 6-8 p.m., Riverside Middle School Auditorium, 179 Forbes Street, East Providence
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