Federal News in Brief

Illinois to Hold Students to Different Standards

By McClatchy-Tribune — May 19, 2014 1 min read
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73 percent for Latinos and 70 percent for black students.

In reading, for example, 85 percent of white students in grades 3-8 will be expected to pass state tests by 2019, compared with about 73 percent for Latinos and 70 percent for black students.

The U.S. Department of Education approved the overhaul last month after granting Illinois a waiver from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. But the new approach is troubling to civil rights activists, who are not convinced that districts will be held accountable for failing to educate minority students.

A version of this article appeared in the May 21, 2014 edition of Education Week as Illinois to Hold Students to Different Standards

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