No Child Left Behind Act 2001

Essay by ibkensterA, February 2009

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The No Child Left Behind Act:A Review of the Current Education ReformationThe No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, signed into law by President George W. Bush, was created to close the achievement gap and ensure that every student attains proficiency in reading and mathematics. NCLB uses federal funds to encourage schools and school districts to comply with the Act. NCLB was intended to reform education through four pillars. These include improved accountability for states and schools, more options for parents and students regarding school selection and additional education resources, greater freedom for states and school districts in the spending of federal education funds, and employing proven educational methods (U.S. Department of Education, 2005). This review focuses on the approach to educational reform and the provisions provided for this reform made in the No Child Left Behind Act.

Background to the No Child Left Behind Act:Title INCLB is meant to reinforce and improve upon the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, particularly with regards to Title I funding.

Money given to school districts from the federal Title 1 program was "intended to improve the quality of education in high-poverty schools and/or give extra help to struggling students" (Small Axe Educational Communications, Inc., 2002). The distribution of Title I funds was determined on the basis of the number of low-income students within a school. However, once Title I funds were given to schools, the funds were to be used for those students at risk for academic failure, not specifically for the low-income students (North Carolina State Board of Education, 2005).

NCLB makes a number of revisions to the Title I program. These revisions include an increase in Title I funding; for the 2006-2007 school year, Title I funds are expected to offer over $13...