WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today made the following statements on the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to grant Minnesota a waiver from certain No Child Left Behind requirements. The waiver gives Minnesota more flexibility to implement its own plan for raising student achievement. Klobuchar worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education to secure the waiver. In December, Klobuchar met with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to urge the Administration to support Minnesota’s waiver application.

“This waiver will give Minnesota the flexibility it needs to implement its own plan for raising student achievement that focuses on our state’s specific needs,” Klobuchar said.

During her time in the Senate, Klobuchar has fought to improve public schools and make sure educators have the tools they need to succeed. Klobuchar was a strong supporter of the America Competes Act, which increased support for math and science education as well as new technology initiatives. She has also pushed efforts to improve early childhood education opportunities as well as initiatives to prevent truancy and keep kids in the classroom and out of the courtroom.

# # #