A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

         FOR RELEASE                            Contact: Waiver Assistance Line         May 9, 1996                                     (202) 401-7801

Riley said this break with the old top-down approach to government was made possible by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, intended to promote and support state and community efforts to help students learn the basics and advanced skills in core academic subjects.

"The Ed-Flex program is a striking example of new partnerships the Clinton Administration is forming with states and communities to help raise academic standards and improve student achievement," Riley said. "The state of Maryland, through its Schools for Success Program,' has worked to improve schools by eliminating constraints that can stand in the way of better teaching and learning and by holding all schools, districts and the state responsible for student performance."

Under Ed-Flex, the state -- not the federal government -- assumes the power to waive federal rules if they interfere with local and state efforts to improve teaching and learning in exchange for accountability for student progress. Maryland plans to build on its experience with state waivers as a tool for school improvement and continue to support district- and school-level decision making.

Maryland joins Ohio, Oregon, Kansas, Massachusetts, Texas and Vermont as Ed-Flex states. Under the 1996 Omnibus Appropriations Act, Goals 2000 was amended to increase from six to 12 the number of states the secretary may so designate.

To qualify for the waiver authority under the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program, Maryland designed and submitted its Schools for Success' comprehensive school improvement plan. Maryland's plan was developed with local input from parents, educators, community members and the private sector and is tied to rigorous academic standards for learning and high expectations for the knowledge and skills students should acquire. Maryland also pledged to waive numerous state requirements that apply to local schools.

School districts and schools in Maryland will be able to seek waivers from requirements of the Perkins Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, including Title I, the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities provisions, Eisenhower Professional Development, and other programs. Civil rights requirements will not be waived. Likewise, waivers are not allowable under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

In its application for Ed-Flex status, Maryland indicated that while its first step would be to assess the needs of local school districts, waivers could support state academic standards in a variety of ways, for example, by allowing for teacher professional development in areas other than math and science under the Eisenhower program.

Goals 2000 helps local school systems improve schools, raise student academic achievement, involve parents in schools, bring technology into the classroom, upgrade teachers' skills and knowledge throughout their careers, and create partnerships with business and community groups. Maryland received $5,379,938 in the second year of Goals 2000 and more than $1.4 million in the first year. On July 1, the state will be eligible for $5,020,587 in additional support.

Riley said the department's commitment to flexibility also is reflected in its implementation of the Goals 2000 Act. The education reform law has no regulations, nor will any be issued. Forty eight states received funds in year one to develop blueprints for better schools.