Invoking Federal Law, Maryland Takes Over Baltimore Schools

The New York Times reports:

Invoking the federal No Child Left Behind Law, the Maryland State school board voted today to take control of four Baltimore high schools with chronically low achievement and strip the city of Baltimore from direct operation of seven more middle schools.

In approving the request of state Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick, a longtime supporter of the school standard movement, the board took the most drastic remedy provided for under No Child Left Behind, one reserved for schools that have failed to show sufficient progress for at least six years.

It was the first time that a state had moved to take over schools under the federal law, according to local officials.

Since when was the federal government given absolute power in education? Big Brother is growing.