New York is one of 19 states now permitted flexibility from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind legislation by the federal government. The announcement was made by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan during an event held in Hartford, Conn., Tues., May 29. In exchange, New York must implement college and career readiness standards and a fair, transparent and rigorous teacher evaluation system. Duncan explained states with waivers are permitted greater flexibility with federal funds and "relief from NCLB's one-size-fits-all" mandates, as a way to encourage the development of local solutions to community-specific challenges. "The waiver lets New York move away from NCLB requirements that were unproductive or unrealistic," said Dr. John B. King Jr., New York Commissioner of Education in a statement released Tuesday. "We're making a new set of promises to our students. Now we have to live up to those promises." NCLB, or the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, was due for renewal in 2007, and although lawmakers agree changes are needed, a consensus has not been reached on specifics. Waivers are intended as a temporary fix at the state level until the law is reauthorized by Congress.