Minn. House Committee Considers NCLB Waiver Plans

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota House Education Finance Committee will learn more about the state's plans to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education for portions of the controversial federal No Child Left Behind law.

The committee has scheduled a Wednesday afternoon hearing. Committee Chairman Rep. Patrick Garofalo says the application may require changes to state law, so he wants to know more.

In September, President Barack Obama announced that the government would grant waivers to portions of the nation's key K-12 education law in exchange for the states adopting certain reforms.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius says she doesn't believe any changes to state law are required, but she was looking forward to presenting information to lawmakers.

The deadline to submit the first round of waiver applications is Nov. 14.

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