What are other states doing in regard to No Child Left Behind?

Over a dozen states are rebelling against various provisions in No Child
Left Behind, the huge, intrusive, federal education law. Education
professionals question the myriad requirements that reduce evaluation of
students to a single score on a single test. School administrators and
state legislators who have analyzed the implementation costs are frustrated
because federal funds do not cover these mandated reforms. Some states have sent clear messages to Washington, D.C.

· Minnesota is one of the latest states to take a stand. Legislation
authored by State Senator Michele Bachmann would opt the state out of NCLB.
· The Utah House voted to not comply with any NCLB provision that is not
federally funded. It is estimated that full compliance in Utah could cost
$1 billion a year. Federal funding is only $100 million.
· Several months ago, Vermont passed a law that forbids local school
districts from spending local funds on the federal program. So far, five
districts have relinquished federal funds and refused to implement NCLB.
· A resolution from the Virginia House of Delegates calls on Congress to
exempt the state from NCLB's "sweeping intrusions." Arizona and New Mexico are considering similar legislation.
· Hawaii's legislators asked state education administrators to give up
current NCLB funding until more federal funding is made available.
· New Hampshire reduced state funding for testing to just $1.
· Indiana and Maine are also questioning NCLB.

Pennsylvania residents can contact their legislators and request a cost
analysis of NCLB implementation in all 501 school districts. Legislators
will then be able to make an informed decision about accepting federal
funds.

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