Latest NCLB waiver goes to Maine

Maine, one of the 45 states to fully adopt the Common Core State Standards, is now the recipient of a waiver from No Child Left Behind, according to the U.S. Department of Education. In return, the state had to provide detailed plans as to how it will prepare K-12 students for their collegiate and professional careers.

Counting Maine, a total of 40 states and the District of Columbia are now recipients of these waivers. Both Arne Duncan, the U.S. secretary of education, and Paul R. LePage, the governor of Maine, believe the efforts to reform instruction are all about the kids.

"Maine students deserve high standards, quality teachers and schools that are held accountable for their results," LePage said in a statement. "This flexibility from the federal government's one-size-fits-all approach allows our state to stay focused on working toward that through the comprehensive reforms we already have underway - rewarding good schools and helping the ones who aren't doing well."

The CCSS implementation process has been underway in Maine since the state adopted the Standards in 2011. They are expected to be in place during the coming academic year, according to the Maine Department of Education.