45°
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. Connecticut schools will have more room to reform and may avoid federal "failing" designations now that the state has been given a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law, Gov. Dannel Malloy said Tuesday.
Connecticut recently passed an education reform package that Malloy said is aimed at expanding early childhood education and turning around low-performing schools.
Receiving a waiver from the No Child Left Behind Act will ensure that Connecticut has the flexibility to implement a reform plan that fits our state, one that is not bound strictly by federal mandates, Malloy said.
State schools will now work to "close the nations largest achievement gap," Malloy said.
"For years, while other states implemented education reform plans, Connecticut stuck to the old way of doing things and many of our students suffered for it," Malloy said. "But the debate we had over the last few months sent a powerful message that we were finally serious about turning around struggling schools."
The waiver also will prevent half of the state's schools from being declared "failing," which could have led to closures, Malloy said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
