Duncan Praises Release from Education Law

Press Release

Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) applauded the U.S. Department of Education Friday for releasing Tennessee from the No Child Left Behind law, saying the move will free East Tennessee teachers from an unnecessary, burdensome, and ineffective federal mandate.

"This law was a tremendous over-reach by the federal government to address failed school systems in some of our Nation's biggest cities, and it was definitely not needed in the schools of East Tennessee," Duncan said.

The Department of Education granted Tennessee and nine other states a waiver from the education law this week, citing the need for more flexibility.

In 2001, Rep. Duncan was the only Member of the Tennessee Congressional delegation to vote against the measure.

"By getting this waiver, our local school boards, teachers, principals, and communities will reclaim the ability to run classrooms as they see fit and not be held to some one-size-fits-all federal mandate," Duncan continued.

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