Schools chiefs seek changes in law

SHARON, Pa. -- Superintendents from 19 western Pennsylvania counties, including Mercer and Lawrence, will gather Monday at North Hills Junior High School to sign a petition recommending changes to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The petition, to be signed at 1 p.m., requests what it calls "necessary refinements" to the law to benefit Pennsylvania's pupils and schools, says the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
More than 170 superintendents are expected to participate in this signing, and more than 300 school chiefs from across the state are expected to be party to the petition.
The document points out what it refers to as "critical flaws" in the law and offers three suggestions to overcome them:
UThe progress of special education pupils should be measured by the assessments specified in their individual education plan rather than by the same tests used to measure other pupils.
USchools should be given sufficient time and accommodations for assessing children with limited English proficiency.
UNo Child Left Behind and other federal legislation affecting schools should be fully funded to enable schools to accomplish the goals set for them.