Federal No Child Left Behind ACT of 2001 (NCLB)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 represents a sweeping overhaul of federal efforts to support elementary and secondary education in the United States.

The Act embodies four key principles - stronger accountability for results; greater flexibility for states, school districts and schools in the use of Federal funds; more choices for parents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds; and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been demonstrated to work. The Act also places an increased emphasis on reading, especially for young children; enhancing the quality of our nation's teachers; and ensuring that all children in America's schools learn English. In keeping with these principles, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act affects virtually every program authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - ranging from Title 1 and efforts to improve teacher quality to initiatives for limited English proficient (LEP) students and safe and drug-free schools.

Many programs administered through Student Programs and Services benefit from ESEA funding, most significantly Title 1 Neglected and Delinquent Programs, but also Title II Pt. A - Teacher Improvement, Title IV - Safe and Drug Free Schools, and Title V - Innovative Programs. Though the overall intent of these programs remain the same, NCLB guidelines will now align the Act's main principals with specific performance goals expected of all districts including alternative programs in non-traditional settings similar to SPAS. These goals, as set through California State Board of Education and guided by NCLB principles, include:

• All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading and mathematics by 2013-2014.
• All limited English-proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, ad a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics.
• By 2005-2006, all students will be taught by highly qualified teachers.
• All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug-free, and conducive to learning.
• All students will graduate from high school.

In California, schools are measured by an accountability system mandated by NCLB that requires each state to ensure that all schools and districts make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

For more information on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) please visit the Web site of the California Department of Education.

For more information on NCLB, please visit the Web site of the U.S. Department of Education.