--Public can learn more about state’s federal flexibility application at evening meetings in each county ---

The Delaware Department of Education will host a public meeting in each county to share and seek public feedback on the state’s accountability flexibility proposal.

In September, President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced flexibility from some provisions of the No Child Left Behind act in exchange for aggressive state-led reforms. Eleven states submitted applications during the first round this fall, and Delaware is among 30 expected to file in the second round in February.

The state’s draft proposal was posted earlier this month online, but the meetings will give Secretary of Education Dr. Lillian M. Lowery the opportunity to explain the provisions to the public and to collect feedback that will inform the state’s final submission.

The meeting times and locations are:

6 p.m., Wed., Jan. 4 at the James Gilliam Conference Center, 77 Reeds Way, New Castle.

6 p.m., Wed., Jan. 11 at Kent County Government Building, Room 220, Dover.

6 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 19, Sussex County Government Building, The Circle, Georgetown.