President Barack Obama’s “Plan B” for education reform, which would free states from No Child Left Behind requirements if they can prove they’re making progress, is coming under fire from Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee .

President Obama called on Congress to pass an education overhaul bill by the start of the next school year — two months away. If they don’t, his backup plan will go into effect; Miller has openly wondered if the backup plan is an “escape route” for Congress and the White House to take an extended break, while others, such as former Bush Administration Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has worried that it gives states too much freedom.

“I’m skeptical that less accountability equals better results. Why? Because we tried it for 40 years. It didn’t work,” she said. (Nor, Miller would argue, does a long vacation where nothing gets done.) [The Washington Times]