Watch CBS News

Waivers Spell Likely End For Tutoring Program

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Dozens of states intend to apply for waivers to free their schools from a federal mandate that they set aside hundreds of millions of dollars a year for after-school tutoring.

The requirement is part of the 9-year-old No Child Left Behind law. When a school district misses testing benchmarks for two straight years, it must set aside a share of its federal aid money for tutoring.

But researchers have criticized the program, saying flaws in its design mean students too often don't taken advantage of tutoring when they can and when they do, they don't get enough to make a difference.

The U.S. Education Department announced a waiver program in September for the tutoring mandate and other parts of No Child Left Behind. Thirty-seven states have said they will apply.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.