MADISON (WKOW) -- The State Department of Public Instruction wants to get Wisconsin schools out from under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The U.S. Department of Education is allowing not just Wisconsin, but all states, to waive certain provisions of the act as long as they can come up with acceptable alternatives.
Wisconsin's plan includes a push for tougher standards in math and science.
As a mother of three public school children, Tracy Long is no fan of No Child Left Behind.
"I think its a lot of BS, because its No Child Left Behind unless its something we need," said Long, whose children attend Middleton public schools.
Jessica Beckett of Portage agrees that it hasn't helped boost student performance and wants more for her two kids.
"We are behind as a nation," said Beckett. "And I think that education is really important for any child."
Sentiment such as that is part of the reason why DPI is taking advantage of a chance to scrap parts of the act.
"In order to ensure Wisconsin graduates are prepared for success in college and career, DPI is raising standards and thinking differently about assessment and graduation requirements," DPI Deputy Secretary Mike Thompson told the Joint Legislative Committee on Education at a public hearing Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Education has to approve the state's plans in those two areas before they will grant a waiver.
The DPI believes they will get approval, because they're proposing far tougher standards.
"New graduation requirements will include three credits of mathematics and three credits of science, engineering and technology," said Thompson.
"And, I think the biggest thing for girls is liking those areas," said Jessica Beckett. "You know, I think the self confidence of girls is just so lacking in math and science."
The state currently only requires two credits in each of those subjects.
The proposal also includes redesigned statewide assessment tests for students in third, eighth and eleventh grades.
That would replace No Child Left Behind's Adequate Yearly Progress requirement.
"The new assessments will be online, guaranteeing faster turnaround of results for teachers, students and families," said Thompson.
"I've still got eight more years to go with the school system," said Tracy Long. "So, I'm really hoping to find something that is gonna be encouraging."
DPI wants to know how you feel about the proposal and is encouraging people to read about it and give feedback.
You can find the proposal here.
Based on that feedback, DPI will submit a final waiver proposal to the U.S. Department of Education by February 21st.
The elements of the plan would be phased in between 2013 and 2015.
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MADISON (WKOW) -- The federal No Child Left Behind Act may soon be significantly scaled down in Wisconsin.
The U.S. Department of Education is offering states the opportunity to waive certain provisions of the Act, which has been in place since 2002 as a tool to measure both student and school achievement.
But each state must provide details on how it will implement certain replacement standards to the USDOE for approval.
States must show how they will implement college and career-ready expectations for all students; student accountability and support for effective instruction.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction unveiled its proposal to the Joint Committee on Education at a public hearing on Thursday.
DPI has until February 21 to submit the proposal to the USDOE.
Capitol Bureau Chief Greg Neumann was at today's hearing and will have details on and reaction to the proposal on 27 News at 5 and 6.
