UPDATED Wednesday, February 22, 2012 --- 2:23 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says in a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan that he supports Wisconsin's application for a federal waiver from the No Child Left Behind law, but he has concerns with how it treats private vouchers schools.

Walker says in the letter sent Wednesday that he is concerned with what he calls a disparity in treatment between public schools and those in the Milwaukee parental choice program.

In the application, the Department of Public Instruction provided a ranking of Wisconsin's lowest-performing schools, including private voucher schools in Milwaukee. Inclusion of the voucher schools wasn't required by the federal government.

Tensions are high ever since Republican lawmakers didn't introduce a promised proposal to create a new accountability system that treats public and vouchers schools the same.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

_______________________________________

Posted Wednesday, February 22, 2012 --- 6:40 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Wisconsin education officials will apply for a waiver from No Child Left Behind, hoping to join 11 other states that were already granted breathing room from the landmark educational requirements.

The state Department of Public Instruction will submit its waiver request today.

The No Child law sets strict testing rules and requires minimum proficiency levels. But the Obama administration is letting states seek waivers if they prove their standards are more rigorous.

State Superintendent Tony Evers says the state's waiver includes provisions for holding schools accountable in four areas: student achievement, student academic growth, narrowed achievement gaps and readiness for higher education.

Under the state's proposal, schools and districts would be given accountability ratings. Top schools would get public recognition and the worst schools could face closure.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.