The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has denied a Texas Education Agency (TEA) waiver request needed to implement changes in state testing requirements called for in House Bill (HB) 866. Approved during the last legislative session, HB 866 would have reduced or eliminated certain testing requirements for high-performing elementary and middle-school students. However, the bill was contingent upon the USDE granting a waiver from federal accountability provisions contained in No Child Left Behind. Denial of the waiver means that the changes cannot be implemented. Here's the official notice from TEA.