Now more than half of the states have received waivers, raising questions about the future of No Child Left Behind. Obama started granting the waivers this year to states that promise states to improve how they prepare and evaluate students.

 

It's part of an ongoing effort by Obama to act on his own when Congress is rebuffing him.

 

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says "our kids can't wait any longer for Congress to act."

 

The 10-year-old federal No Child Left Behind law requires all students to achieve proficient math and reading scores by 2014, a goal that many educators say is impossible.

 

Approved for waivers are: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

 

Sept. 6 is the deadline for states that want to apply for the next round of waivers.

 

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Additional information from SGRToday.com