President Obama on Monday will outline a comprehensive overhaul of former President George W. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" education policy, emphasizing increased flexibility among states and schools to determine the best path toward educational improvement.

 

Speaking before students at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, Virginia, Mr. Obama will present a timeline for rewriting Mr. Bush's law, which many have criticized for setting inflexible federal guidelines and abandoning schools determined as "failing."

 

"In the 21st century, it's not enough to leave no child behind," Obama will say, according to an excerpt of his prepared remarks released by the White House. "We need to help every child get ahead. We need to get every child on a path to academic excellence."

 

Mr. Obama reportedly met with the chairs and ranking members of committees that oversee the education authorization bill last week, White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes told Bloomberg News. She said the president's hope is that new legislation can be crafted before the beginning of the next school year.