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SERVE > Topic Areas > Policy and Legislation > Federal Legislation > NCLB

 
Page Title: "Policy & Legislation"
 
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

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Signed on January 8, 2002, by President Bush, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is the newest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Unlike earlier reauthorizations of ESEA, NCLB contains provisions that offer greater state and local decision making coupled with greater responsibility and accountability. The following list is just a sample of major provisions in the legislation.

 
  • Requires that states create strong standards for what every child should know and learn in reading and math in grades 3–8. 
  • Requires that all students are performing at proficient levels in 12 years
  • Provides unprecedented flexibility, especially to local school districts
  • Provides public school choice and supplemental education services connected to poor performance
  • Requires annual testing in grades 3–8
  • Requires all states to participate in NAEP
  • Ties practices and spending to "scientific-based research"
  • Focuses more federal funding through weighted formula grant programs
  • Creates the new Reading First and Early Reading First Programs
  • Provides new funds for teacher recruitment, retention, and mentoring
  • Provides funds for teacher and administrative professional development
  • Requires that all teachers be "highly qualified" by 2005–2006
  • Requires that Title I paraprofessionals be qualified
  • Requires states to disaggregate student achievement data
  • Provides rural and small school districts with new funds and flexibility

NCLB Resources

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