Ill. Lawmakers Weigh Waivers, Declare Process a Success

By Lonnie Harp

After declaring open season on state-mandated school rules and paperwork, Illinois lawmakers rejected several waivers of such rules requested by districts, then went home for the year.

The legislature would not allow school districts to reinstate corporal punishment, excuse themselves from state accreditation, reduce the amount of teacher training time, or avoid installing firefighting sprinkler systems in school buildings.

But after creating a process this year for local districts to seek exemptions from state rules, lawmakers and the state school board did approve many shortcuts. The new system allows districts to request a waiver from any rule or law. And after sorting through the first batch of requests--about 100 from across the state--state officials proclaimed the...