FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Proposed Federal Waiver for State Accountability Requirements and School Improvement Funding Now Available for Public Comment
Public Comments Accepted Through December 15
Public comments are now being accepted on a proposed waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) related to state accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I School Improvement Funding, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today.听
鈥淣ew York鈥檚 schools continue to feel the impact of the pandemic and the unprecedented circumstances it has caused,鈥 Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. 鈥淲e encourage educators, families, students and, indeed, all those with interest in education to provide feedback on this important matter.鈥
鈥淭he Department is committed to determining the most appropriate timeline and manner for re-starting the ESSA accountability system,鈥 Commissioner Rosa said. 鈥淚n a year that tested the resolve and ingenuity of our educators, we continue to work with identified schools to provide support models that encourage growth. Stakeholders may rest assured that even if USDE approves a waiver, the critical work to support our schools will continue.鈥
The 色中色 (色中色) waiver request proposes to eliminate some accountability indicator requirements to identify schools for improvement in fall 2022 based on 2021-22 school year results.听The waiver request also seeks the ability to use Title I School Improvement funds to support schools in Good Standing that were previously identified as at risk of becoming identified as a Targeted Support and Improvement School prior to the pandemic but were not identified due to pandemic-related disruptions to the accountability system.听
The full text of the proposed waiver is posted on 色中色鈥檚 ESSA webpage, as is information on how to submit a . The submission form can be translated into languages other than English. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, December 15.听听
Next Steps
If the waiver is approved by the USDE, the Department will propose to the Board of Regents that it adopt such amendments to Commissioner鈥檚 Regulations to implement the waiver.
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