Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Applauds No Child Left Behind Waiver for Hawai"i's Schools

Statement

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today offered praise for the U.S. Department of Education announcement that Hawai"i has received a waiver from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The state received the waiver in exchange for submitting plans to better prepare students for college and careers, to focus aid on the neediest students and support effective teaching and leadership.

"This No Child Left Behind waiver will allow our local schools to make critical improvements that make sense for their unique needs," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who recently visited five "Race to the Top" grant schools on Oahu and Hawai"i Island to learn about their progress toward reform. "During my recent work week in Hawaii, I saw firsthand the hard work our Race to the Top schools are engaged in and the improvements that have been made. I look forward to seeing the initiatives they have tested and found successful to be implemented across the state. For six years, national education reform has been in a holding pattern. Our students, teachers, and administrators have waited for too long and deserve to have the flexibility to pursue Hawai"i-developed reforms now."

Federal education law has not been reauthorized by Congress since 2007. President Barack Obama announced in September 2011 that his Administration would grant waivers from NCLB to qualified states. Since then, 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Bureau of Indian Education have requested waivers from NCLB. The Department has now approved requests from 37 states and D.C.

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