SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) The U.S. Department of Education says it'll give New Mexico preferential treatment when the state applies for an extended waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements. Officials say New Mexico will be allowed to apply early for an extension, be eligible to receive approval faster and get a longer waiver four years instead of three years.
New Mexico is among states getting the preferential treatment because it has begun implementing changes that include using student test scores to help evaluate teachers. The waiver frees the state from the No Child Left Behind requirement that 100 percent of students score proficient on state standardized tests.
New Mexico's waiver extension request is due by the end of January in order to receive approval in the spring of 2015.
