The National Governors Association, which largely took a pass on the debate over the No Child Left Behind Act as it was being crafted six years ago, released recommendations for its renewal that aim to preserve the federal role in holding states accountable for student learning, while seeking greater flexibility in several key areas. Under the recommendations, which were also endorsed by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Association of State Boards of Education, states would get greater leeway in how they intervene in schools not meeting annual achievement targets, define highly qualified teachers, and measure the progress of English-language learners. But organizations representing local public school officials said the state groups' recommendations centered too much on minor adjustments to the federal law and missed an opportunity to restore greater state control over education policy. Senate staff members had asked for groups' recommendations on the law's reauthorization to be submitted by March 30, 2007. Congressional leaders on education say they hope to reauthorize the law on schedule this year, although some observers doubt that it will happen.