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IL School Supt. Critical Says Federal DOE Missing Chance to Engage with States

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Illinois Superintendent of Schools Tony Smith

Illinois’ state superintendent of schools has publicly criticized the federal Department of Education for micromanaging state agencies.
 
When Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, it had something rare these days -- bipartisan support.
 
That’s largely because it replaced No Child Left Behind, which was widely unpopular.

But writing regulations for the new law fell to the Department of Education -- the same agency that enforced No Child Left Behind. In a recent column for US News and World Report, Illinois superintendent Tony Smith complained the DOE was perpetuating the same practices in the new regs.

“All the language looks great, and that’s why I’ve been so outspoken about why the federal department is, I think, missing it. They’re continuing to write rules and legislate in an old framework while there’s an opportunity to be inclusive and engage right now.”

Illinois is in the midst of drafting its plan for implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act.

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