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WHAT IS NCLB?


  


Signed into law on January 8, 2002 by president George W. Bush, the No Child Left Behind Law (NCLB) is the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which was originally passed in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson.


NCLB goals are:

  • All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading and mathematics by 2013-2014.
  • All students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) will become proficient in English.
  • All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free and conducive to learning.
  • All students will graduate from high school. 
  • By 2013-2014, all students will be proficient in reading by the end of the third grade. 
  • By 2005-2006, all students will be taught by highly qualified teachers.
In order to accomplish these goals, NCLB brings resources, incentives, and new requirements to schools. Some of these requirements include:
  • Annual testing of all students against state standards in reading and mathematics in grades 3-8 and in science at three times in a student’s school career (including once in high school).
  • “Verification” of each state’s assessment system via required participation (every other year) by selected districts in the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) test.
  • Aggregate and disaggregate analysis and reporting of student achievement results.
  • A state definition and timeline for determining whether a school, district and the state are making “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) toward the goal of 100 percent of students meeting state standards by the 2013-2014 school year.
  • Technical assistance and then sanctions for schools, districts and the state for failure to make AYP.
  • Highly qualified teachers in core academic subjects by 2005-2006.
  • Highly qualified aides or paraprofessionals.
  • Support for students not meeting standards and/or for those who have special needs (e.g., homeless, limited-English-proficiency).
  • The use of “scientifically-based” programs and strategies.

Source:  
          "No Child Left Behind (NCLB)." Illinois State Board of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.     <http://www.isbe.net/nclb/htmls/highlights.htm>. 

© Diego Fierros, 2012