It's an education law that's now famous for being dysfunctional.
South Dakota is now one of almost a dozen states that has received a waiver by the US Department of Education to opt out of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Senator Tim Johnson met with Black Hills educators today to discuss ways the law can be reformed to meet the unique educational challenges in South Dakota.
Johnson says rural schools are penalized most unfairly under the law.
Educators point to a large population of students who never reach the required proficiency standards ... thus leaving schools accountable.
20% of state schools failed to meet the requirements in the annual report on adequate yearly progress for schools under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Johnson says the waiver will provide relief from the most unworkable aspects of the law.
"It must be more flexible than it was. And there must be an answer to penalizing schools that have fallen behind and instead rewarding schools and building them up," said Sen. Johnson.
Black Hills educators also say they want local control and accountability to be top priorities under the reformed law. They suggest multiple assessments throughout the year, rather than solely relying on the annual testing that largely comprises the NCLB Act.
Johnson says the US house and senate are both very far apart on a solution to renew No Child Left Behind.
Local News - KOTA TerritoryLocal News KOTA TerritoryMore>>
The war against the pine beetle in the black hills is a difficult battle, especially when landowners refuse to chip-in and help fight the infestation on their own property. That's why Custer is holding non-compliant
The war against the pine beetle in the black hills is a difficult battle, especially when landowners refuse to chip-in and help fight the infestation on their own property. That's why Custer is holding non-compliant
New restaurants, new developments, and a new Rapid City center. It's no wonder local candidates have business on the brain heading into the June 5 election.Candidates for Rapid City Council, Rapid City
Candidates for Rapid City Council, Rapid City School Board, and Pennington County Commission spoke to a small group of voters at Monday night's Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus.
Monday, May 21 2012 8:08 PM EDT2012-05-22 00:08:32 GMT
They marched more than two miles from Memorial Plaza in Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Hospital. At issue: a patient who claims mutilated while undergoing surgery because he is Native American. But,
They marched more than two miles from Memorial Plaza in Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Hospital. At issue: a patient who claims mutilated while undergoing surgery because he is Native American. But,
Attorneys continue to haggle over a plea deal for a man accused of shooting at traveling vehicles on highway 16. The attorneys for John Shaw say they are in the final stages of what they consider a very
Attorneys continue to haggle over a plea deal for a man accused of shooting at traveling vehicles on highway 16.
Supporters of a Cheyenne River tribe member Who claims Rapid City Regional Hospital branded his skin with three k's are staging a rally and march in Rapid City.American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis
American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks was leading the event called Justice for Vern Traversie rally, which began at Memorial Park and was expected to continue to the hospital.
The lone grocery store on Pine Ridge reopens with some health and pricing stipulations. The Sioux Nation shopping center closed for a week after findings that the store was selling outdated meat. Oglala
The lone grocery store on Pine Ridge reopens with some health and pricing stipulations. The Sioux Nation shopping center closed for a week after findings that the store was selling outdated meat. Oglala
A School of Mines student accused of writing a threatening letter a not guilty plea. Boyce Way, 19, of Mitchell was arraigned Monday morning in seventh circuit court. He's charged with making a terrorist
A School of Mines student accused of writing a threatening letter a not guilty plea. Boyce Way, 19, of Mitchell was arraigned Monday morning in seventh circuit court. He's charged with making a terrorist
Supporters of a Cheyenne River tribe member Who claims Rapid City Regional Hospital branded his skin with three k's are staging a rally and march in Rapid City.American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis
American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks was leading the event called Justice for Vern Traversie rally, which began at Memorial Park and was expected to continue to the hospital.
His Youtube video detailing alleged abuses by Rapid City Regional Hospital has gone viral. Now supporters of Cheyenne River elder Vern Traversie are using social media to organize a rally Monday.The Justice
Activists say they plan to walk from Memorial Park, southbound to 5th Street, and then up to Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Rapid City Police are investigating a shooting at an apartment complex Saturday night. But so far, there are no victims and no suspects.Police were called to an apartment complex on East Knollwood Drive
Police were called to an apartment complex on East Knollwood Drive at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday night, Sgt. Brian Blenner said.
A standoff in Rapid Valley ended Saturday night with Pennington County Sheriff's Deputies storming into a home and taking a man to the hospital for medical evaluation.Deputies say the man called 911 from
Deputies say the man called 911 from 4433 Circlewood Drive at about 6:20 p.m. He was screaming at the dispatcher, saying he wanted law enforcement to come to his home.
Monday, May 21 2012 8:08 PM EDT2012-05-22 00:08:32 GMT
They marched more than two miles from Memorial Plaza in Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Hospital. At issue: a patient who claims mutilated while undergoing surgery because he is Native American. But,
They marched more than two miles from Memorial Plaza in Rapid City to Rapid City Regional Hospital. At issue: a patient who claims mutilated while undergoing surgery because he is Native American. But,
A Kadoka school board member faces charges of giving alcohol to minors. According to the charging document filed Monday, 46 year old Dale Christensen faces five counts of furnishing alcohol to a child.
According to police records filed Monday, 46 year old Dale Christensen faces five counts of furnishing alcohol to a child.
The lone grocery store on Pine Ridge reopens with some health and pricing stipulations. The Sioux Nation shopping center closed for a week after findings that the store was selling outdated meat. Oglala
The lone grocery store on Pine Ridge reopens with some health and pricing stipulations. The Sioux Nation shopping center closed for a week after findings that the store was selling outdated meat. Oglala
A South Dakota school district has resisted approving a request to include a Native American honor song at its graduation. While leaders of the Chamberlain School District mull the idea over, the Rapid
A different South Dakota school district has resisted approving a request to include a Native American honor song at its graduation.
You asked for it, and now it's back. The Tarzan Ring is up and swinging again after over twenty-five years. The ring allows you to swing from the edge of the pool and drop into the center, giving you
The ring was taken out to make room for new equipment, but because of so many requests, they decided to squeeze it back in.
A School of Mines student accused of writing a threatening letter a not guilty plea. Boyce Way, 19, of Mitchell was arraigned Monday morning in seventh circuit court. He's charged with making a terrorist
A School of Mines student accused of writing a threatening letter a not guilty plea. Boyce Way, 19, of Mitchell was arraigned Monday morning in seventh circuit court. He's charged with making a terrorist
