![Minnesota Seeks Waiver To No Child Left Behind](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/07/mark_dayton_getty_july_14_2011-300x213.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Seeks Waiver To No Child Left Behind
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota will seek a waiver to the federal No Child Left Behind law, which could free state schools from some testing requirements and punishments in the nine-year-old law.
Governor Mark Dayton made the announcement Monday, hours after the Obama administration unveiled its plans to give school districts a break, so as long as they pursue other education changes.
Education Secretary Arne says President Barack Obama is authorizing him to grant waivers because Congress has failed to act.
Minnesota Representative John Kline, the Republican chairman of the House education committee, says he's concerned the temporary waivers could undermine efforts for a more thorough and permanent overhaul of the law.
Critics call the law's benchmarks unrealistic and say they brand schools as failures even if they are making progress.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)