Overview
On January 8, 2002, the revised Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (ESEA) was signed into law with the support of both Democrats
and Republicans in Congress. The intent of the law is to ensure
that states receiving federal subsidies for public education show
progress in academic achievement among all groups of students, especially
poor and minority students. NCLB was built on the foundation of
the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act, which aspired to the same goal but which lacked the “teeth”
to make states comply. This new law, which combines requirements,
incentives and resources, poses enormous challenges to the states.
NCLB requires states to expand testing, renovate accountability
systems and ensure that each classroom is staffed by a teacher qualified
to teach in his or her subject area. The law places more pressure
on states to make definite progress each year in raising the percentage
of students deemed proficient in various subjects and in narrowing
the test-score gap among students of different racial and economic
backgrounds. States are also required to incorporate scientifically
based research to improve school quality and student performance.
In sum, NCLB holds states receiving federal funding responsible
for ensuring that all students are held to high standards and high
levels of achievement. And the message is clear: states must show
progress in student achievement in order to continue to receive
federal funds.
A+ Education Foundation
P.O. Box 4433
Montgomery, AL 36103
