Soft on HQT/Hard on AYP (NCLB News)

New Secretary Showing Flexibility on 'No Child' Act New York Times

Hmmm. Having just caved on HQT in North Dakota, the USDE's next challenge comes in Utah, where opposition to NCLB (substantial or strategic, it's hard to tell) is on the rise:

Utah ed bills may rattle D.C. Deseret News
Utah Bill Mounts Challenge to Federal Education Law New York Times
Rebellion against federal ed law reignites in Utah Stateline.org
Utah House backs bill challenging 'No Child' law Philadelphia Inquirer
Deal possible on 'No Child' law The Salt Lake Tribune
Feds coming to sell ed law Deseret News

In other places, the Department is holding firm - so far:

U.S. May Force California to Call More School Districts Failures LA Times
Feds raise pressure on schools New Orleans Times-Picayune

Meanwhile, states and districts focus on their most low-performing schools:

Bill offers choices for fixing failing public schools Denver Post
State taking step to fix F schools Sun-Sentinel.com
HISD can't fix 3 schools Houston Chronicle
When is a graduate not a graduate? Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dropout rate targeted Atlanta Journal Constitution
Schools' Great divide San Francisco Chronicle

Best of the Rest:
Survey Results Reveal Parents Views on NCLB U.S. Newswire
The Art of Testing EW
Measure would cut "fill-in-the-bubble" tests Seattle Times
Good news for state's 'English learners Sacramento Bee
Mass. may raise passing score on state test The Boston Globe
EWA releases reform brief on NCLB and teacher quality EWA
Reading Teachers See Few Changes Under NCLB Law EW