Signed into law on January 8th, 2002, the landmark federal No Child Left Behind Act initiated the most sweeping reform of public education in decades. Reforms are based on four major pillars:

 

Stronger Accountability for Results

More Freedom for the States and Communities

Encouraging Proven Education Methods

More Choices for Parents

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) aims to close the racial achievement gap and ensure all children meet basic academic standards by 2014 through accountability, choice, and flexibility. Information on the basics of NCLB are available in the “NCLB Desktop Reference,” US Department of Education, 2002 and by visiting www.nclb.gov.

For information on NCLB implementation in New York State, visit: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/nclb/nclbhome.htm

Non-Regulatory Guidance, U.S. Department of Education

• Public School Choice Non-Regulatory Guidance

http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/schoolchoiceguid.doc

• Unsafe School Choice Option Non-Regulatory Guidance http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/unsafeschoolchoice.doc

• Parental Involvement, Title 1 Part A Non-Regulatory Guidance http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/parentinvguid.doc

 • Supplemental Educational Services Non-Regulatory Guidance http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/suppsvcsguid.doc

Funding

Under NCLB the federal budget for education spending has increased, and funds often are targeted to the areas of the country with the most need. The Department of Education has created a document outlining the basics of federal education funding. US Department of Education, “10 Facts about K12 Education Funding,” Washington DC, 2005.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) the research arm of Congress, has found that the federal No Child Left Behind Act is not an unfunded mandate.

GAO concluded that the requirements of voluntary programs are not considered mandate under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

“Unfunded Mandates: Analysis of Reform Act Coverage,” U.S. GAO, May 2004.

NCLB Extra Credit, U.S. Department of Education

NCLB Extra Credit is a newsletter devoted to the No Child Left Behind Act. It is updated frequently to track positive developments and individual success stories resulting from NCLB reforms. The archives of past newsletters are available online, and regular email updates are also available.