Kline Questions Duncan's Waiver Plan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The chairman of the House education committee is questioning the legality of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's plan to grant waivers for some requirements of the No Child Left Behind law.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., sent a letter Thursday in which he asks Duncan to explain how the department has the authority to grant waivers "in exchange for reforms not authorized by Congress."

Two weeks ago, Duncan announced that he would give states relief from federal mandates in the law if Congress didn't quickly finish its overhaul of No Child Left Behind.

Duncan released few details of the plan, but did say that in exchange for the flexibility, states would have to agree to the department's education reforms.

A Duncan spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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