1. Part 1:
Background
Research
No Child Left
Behind

2. Provisions
 Requires Federally funded schools to
administer standardized tests to students
annually
 Ifa school cannot improve scores after 2
years, they are required to develop a
two-year improvement plan. Students are
given the option to transfer to a better
district.
 After non improvement for a third year,
the school is required to offer free tutoring
and other supplemental opportunities to
struggling students.

3. When and Why This was Passed
 The No Child Left Behind Act was signed
into law on January 8, 2002.
 This act was proposed on the premise that
setting high standards and establishing
measurable goals can improve individual
outcomes in education.

4. Arguments for and Against
Pros
 Emphasis on test results will improve the quality of
public education for all students.
 Will further democratize U.S. education, by setting
standards and providing resources to schools,
regardless of wealth, ethnicity, disabilities or
language spoken.
Cons
 The accountability of NCLB is flawed and biased
 Stricter teacher qualifications have increased the
nationwide teacher shortage

5. Controversial and Passage
 The
NCLB Act was relatively easy to pass,
considering it passed with bipartisan
support soon after George W. Bush
became president.
 The largest controversy surrounding NCLB,
is the fact that funded is simply not
adequate.
 Teachers feel as if they are restricted to
the subjects rated by NCLB, rather than
offering a well rounded education.

6. Part 2: Issues
with
Federalism
No Child Left
Behind

7. Issues with Federalism

NCLB brings up issues with Federalism, as it
extends the power over education to the
federal government. This power is reserved
specifically for the states, and while they
maintain some control over the policy, it forces
them to execute it.

8. Positions of major think tanks
The Brookings Institution generally releases

reports that demonstrate benefits to lower level
students, and how upper level students are
hindered by this legislation

The Heritage Foundation views that the
nationalization of schooling in the United States
has failed, and we should give the states more
control

The Cato institute states that there is little
evidence that NCLB has improved the
schooling system

9. Federal vs. State
Government

The Federal government is obviously in favor of
NCLB, as it gives them more power to regulate
education.

However, the state governments have been
able to maintain control over issues such as
how to execute the policy in their own state.

In general, this policy is tough to implement as
it radically changed the roles of federal and
state governments, and imposes
accountability on the states for test scores.

10. Has NCLB been effective?

A study released in 2010 demonstrates a
causal link between NCLB and increased
achievement levels. (Specifically mathematics)
It shows that over seven years, 8th graders
raised their achievement level by 4-12 months
in math.

On the other hand, a TIME article stated that
NCLB's goal for 2014 of keeping all students on
or above grade level has fallen short

11. Citations

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/sto
ries/2010/01/nclb.html

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,85
99,1812758,00.html