LaTEACH
Action Alert
Comment on Louisiana's Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Waiver Extension Application
November 20, 2014


LaTEACH members are encouraged to submit comments to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on the draft Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility waiver extension application.  Public comments will be accepted by the LDOE through November 28, 2014.

Click here to read Louisiana's ESEA Flexibility application extension. 

Send comments to ESEAWaiver@la.gov by November 28, 2014.

For more information read the two sections below:

What is ESEA and Why the Waiver?

What does the Louisiana Waiver Application say about Students with Disabilities?

What is ESEA and Why the Waiver?

What is ESEA/NCLB and Why the Waiver? 

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 is the most comprehensive federal public education law.  The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is the latest version of the ESEA, so ESEA is often referred to as NCLB. 

NCLB expanded ESEA in requiring all public schools receiving federal funding to test every student with standardized tests.  NCLB set the unrealistic goal that:
"all students meet or exceed the State's proficient level of academic achievement on the State's assessments in reading/language arts and mathematics no later than the end of the 2013-2014 school year."
To relieve states from this impossible task, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) allows states to apply for Flexibility Waivers - requesting that some of the ESEA requirements be waived if the state does other things indicated by the USDOE.

ESEA was intended to ensure that all children, including children with disabilities, have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to receive a high quality education.
What does the Louisiana Waiver Application say about Students with Disabilites?
Information specific to students with disabilities in the Louisiana ESEA Flexibility Waiver Application can be found on the pages listed below.  It is important for parents of students with disabilities to read these sections carefully and submit comments in areas where you may have concerns, but to also include comments in areas you support.

Page(s)
Topic
7

Assurance that an alternate assessment is developed
39-42

Supporting Students with Disabilities
46-47

Alternate Assessments
115-116

Students with Disabilities and English Language Learner Supports

 

What to do?

Let the Louisiana Department of Education hear your thoughts.

 

LaTEACH members are encouraged to submit their comments to ESEA Waiver no later than November 28th.

Any questions?
If there are any questions about the information in this alert, contact LaTEACH at:
contact pic
Email: info@lateach.org
Phone: 1-800-450-8108  
Phone: 1-800-894-6558
Website: www.lateach.org

LaTEACH is an initiative of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.