No Child Left Behind
President George W. Bush describes the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) as the cornerstone of his administration. It was
designed to improve student achievement especially those children in low income areas who have been typically left behind. This
law expands the federal government's role in elementary and secondary education by amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
NCLB has four basic points:
1). Accountability for results
2). An emphasis on doing what works based on scientific research
3). Expanded parental options
4). Expanded local control and flexibility
Benefits of this Legislation
- Holds schools accountable for the performance of typically low performing students and
minority groups. Federal funds such as Title I funding will be withheld from failing schools if certain criteria are not met.
- Sets a timetable to employ high quality teachers (teachers who are state certified, and who have a bachelors degree with a major in the
subject area of which they teach)
- Geared towards ending the two-tiered educational system of disadvantage low income, urban school systems versus wealthy school systems
Drawbacks of this Legislation
- States are worried that they will not be able to recruit and retain and enough teachers
to meet the requirements of NCLB
- The terminology used to define a highly qualified teacher does not take into consideration a teacher's years of experience.
- Non-English speaking students are failing the reading tests and is a main cause why a number of schools have
been put on the "failing school" list.
Related Links
No Child Left behind (NCLB)
The U.S. Department of Education website for President Bush's NCLB Act of 2001
No Child Left behind- White House Page
The White House NCLB Page. Includes the President's foreward, executive summary, and areas of educational improvements
No Child Left behind- Education Commission of the States
"This site provides policymakers, staff and the public with a one stop shop for learning day to day status of
how states match up with NCLB requirements
Paige: 'We think that we're on a roll'
A CNN interview of Education Secretary Rod Paige concerning No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Feldman: Spend education money on what works
A CNN interview of Sandra Feldman, the head of the American Federation of Teachers concerning criticism of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
National Center for Policy Analysis
"The NCPA's goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. Topics include reforms in health care, taxes, Social Security, welfare, criminal justice, education and environmental regulation.
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