Washington loses latest bid for education policy waiver

SEATTLE (AP) -- Washington state has lost its latest bid for flexibility under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

State officials said Monday they heard from U.S. Department of Education officials to say they were not going to approve a request made about a month ago.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn had asked if Washington schools could avoid sending letters to parents saying schools are not making adequate yearly progress and explaining that kids can transfer to a school that is.

The letters usually sent right before the new school year begins also offer outside tutoring.

Washington was the first state to lose its waiver from some elements of the federal education law. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia were given waivers while they wait for Congress to reauthorize the federal framework for the nation's schools.