:: Running from the Thought Police ::

:: Saturday, May 15, 2004 ::

Victory For Common Sense

Wisconsin's Attourney General shot the NO Child Left Behind act down.

Wisconsin's attorney general has issued an opinion that the federal government can't force states to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act without fully funding it.

The opinion released Thursday was the first in the country from a state attorney general on the education reform measure, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said "clear and compelling" language in the law itself says the federal government can't make states or school districts pay the law's mandated costs for improved education.

The opinion could be the first step toward a lawsuit challenging the law, said Scott Young, NCSL education policy associate...

The law "doesn't really help education," said state Sen. Fred Risser, who asked Lautenschlager for the opinion. "Education needs smaller class sizes and well-paid teachers. This bill doesn't give any of these items. The law could cost taxpayers millions of dollars."

U.S. Department of Education officials didn't immediately return a message left at their offices Thursday evening.

I'm hoping our Attourny General, Lisa Madigan, quickly follows suit - this could end up saving the state craploads of money that it doesn't have by not having to fund such a stupid act. No school will get full compliance with NCLB, ever. It's unrealistic to expect otherwise - and to expect the states to pay for this is even more idiotic.

:: The Squire 5:19 PM :: email this post :: ::
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