South Carolina's request for flexibility from certain mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act has been approved.

State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais submitted the request for flexibility in exchange for adopting a comprehensive reform plan that focuses on improving the state's accountability system. 

He said then that the "opportunity to request flexibility from parts of No Child Left Behind is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform education in South Carolina. Students, parents, and the public will know how schools are performing in a clear and easily understood system of letter grades."

The U.S. Department of Education released a list today of the latest states to receive the waiver. Others on the approval list were Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and the District of Columbia. So far, 32 states have been approved.

The state's plan aimed at improving its accountability system includes awarding letter grades to schools and districts based on student achievement in several areas including English-language Arts, math and high school graduation rates.

The plan also includes a new educator evaluation system and increasing transparency of student achievement by student subgroups.

To see the department's final flexibility waiver request click here.