OSPI Thinks Duncan Will Bring Down the NCLB Hammer

According to an article in the Seattle Times, Superintendent Randy Dorn thinks the DOE will lose its waiver from NCLB.  Washington State would be the first state to lose a waiver.  (Other states may also lose their waivers as well by the end of their school years.)

(As usual, the Times makes the link between the teachers union and the Legislature.  Is that really the entire story of why the Legislature said no?  Probably not but it fits the Times' on-going ed reform narrative.)

I spoke with a DOE spokesperson yesterday about when this decision would come and she said that they are still "working" with the State and no decision has been made.  The DOE has said they know they need to let states know soon because of budgeting but they certainly seem to be taking their time.

Is the district "losing" money?  In one way, yes, as they will have to set aside funds to meet NCLB obligations.  Under NCLB,  at schools named as "failing", parents are allowed to leave that school for one that isn't or ask for private tutoring for their child.  According to the WEA, Seattle and Tacoma didn't even spend half the money allotted for tutoring.  And, according to the Times, Tacoma used dollars to fund preschool in six of its buildings. 

If Washington State is denied a waiver, many more schools - probably 95% of SPS - would be declared "failing" under NCLB.  Naturally, this is pretty ridiculous and I can't believe that any rational adult would think it true. 

NCLB feels like a joke at this point.  Congress has not renewed/re-written it in years.  Outcomes?  What outcomes?  I think the only really progress is the enrichment of testing companies.  And yet, Duncan is using it as a threat against states. 

Duncan, in recent days, has shown himself to be stubborn so I'm guessing I am wrong about Washington State getting a slap on the wrist rather than the big hammer.