Legislation to relax federal student achievement goals and give more latitude to states has passed the US House of Representatives and has bi-partisan support.

As reported in the Sun, legislation to provide more flexibility to states in overseeing their schools is moving towards passage.  The measure, according to the Sun, would ease federally imposed achievement goals that relied on standardized tests.

As described in the Sun, the legislation would provide more flexibility in measuring the progress of students and the performance of teachers.

Maryland would be able to design a new accountability system for schools and teachers, which might rely less on standardized tests and instead include other metrics, such as the availability of prekindergarten programs or college-level courses.

The Maryland State Education Association, among other education advocates has voiced approval for the legislation. Sean Johnson, government relations director for the Maryland State Education Association said,

It allows Maryland the flexibility to address the specific challenges facing our schools and students in ways that are unique to Maryland. . . It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

For more information, read the full story in the Baltimore Sun.