Recent government education policies seem to assume that academic achievement as measured by test scores is the primary objective of public education. A prime example is the federal No Child Left Behind law, which requires schools to bring all of their students to "proficient" levels on math and reading tests by 2014. Many state…

In this study we inquired into the qualifications of public secondary school teachers by examining whether or not teachers met the No Child Left Behind Act's ([NCLB] 2002) definition of "highly qualified" immediately prior to the law's enactment. We examined this by core academic subjects (English, social studies, math, and science) and,…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 set forth to hold all schools accountable to high standards and address the long-standing objective of closing the achievement gap between students from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds. The guidelines and criteria that describe highly qualified teachers emphasize pedigrees and standardized test scores as…

The federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation was designed to strengthen the achievement of K-12 students across the United States. To help schools improve, their progress must be ascertained and then initiatives implemented that will support improvement efforts. This study, which was conducted in 2005-2006, provides a comprehensive,…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2002) has generated controversy and support since its inception. Parents, teachers, researchers, authors, advocates, protesters, and politicians have shared views and opinions based on "political" beliefs, biases, and anecdotal and research-based evidence that supports their stance. In attempt to…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has increased concern about the staffing difficulties faced by schools that serve a high percentage of low-achieving students. NCLB requires each student be taught in all core academic subjects by a highly-qualified teacher by the 2005-06 school year. The law defines highly-qualified teachers as those…

This article presents questions regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, its 2004 and 2006 regulations, and the No Child Left Behind Act. The author's answers to these questions are presented.

With the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the United States entered the "age of high-stakes educational accountability". According to the United States Department of Education, NCLB is designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more…

Four years after the enactment of the "No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)," the revolutionary changes to the education system called for by President Bush are almost implemented. States have put in place rigorous new accountability systems and will implement reading and math assessments covering all students in grades 3-8 by the end of the…

This document summarizes the reasons No Child Left Behind is important to students with learning disabilities. The sections include: Lack of Educational Benefit; Lack of Qualified Teachers; Lack of Expectataions; and Lack of Accountability.

This manuscript describes the impact of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation on Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The manuscript begins with a review of the various aspects of the NCLB legislation, discussing historical legislation leading up to NCLB and emphasizing contemporary issues that affect K-12 education. The manuscript…

The overall goal of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is to have all students--100 percent--achieving at proficient levels by 2014. Between now and 2014, states, districts, and schools must take a series of specific steps toward that goal. The law requires that educators focus intensively on challenging academic standards and assessments in…

This booklet is designed for parents of school-aged children to introduce the concept and benefits of "No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB") legislation. Calling for a highly qualified teacher in the core subjects in every classroom, the goals of "NCLB" are centered in four principles: (1) holding schools accountable for…

This hearing includes testimony on how the Higher Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act are currently working and what steps can be taken to better coordinate these programs to move closer to the goal of a highly qualified teacher in every classroom. Statements and testimony are included from: Honorable Jason Altmire, Congressional…

In this article the author looks at the impact NCLB is having on teacher education programs, focusing on three major areas: who is entering teacher preparation programs; the experience they have while they are in those programs; and the experience they have while in the schools as student teachers. The increased focus on testing to determine who…