The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: The impact of policy requirements and recommendations for policy improvements

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires all schools to ensure all students meet proficiency by 2014. If the federal government seriously values the goals of "leaving no child behind" and bringing all students to proficiency, then the next reauthorization of this legislation needs major revision. This paper concentrates on four key policy flaws within NCLB: (1) overly-ambitious expectations; (2) insufficient funding; (3) overregulation; and (4) technically unsound school performance evaluation requirements. The paper concludes with recommendations for the nature and scope of federal education legislation, federal funding of educational programs, an integrated approach to improve educational equity, and principles and components of sound educational accountability systems. The following changes are recommended and discussed: the reauthorization of NCLB should (1) not extend beyond constitutional purviews of the federal government; (2) be fully funded; (3) encourage innovation and technically sound practices; and (4) be supported by substantial reforms in federally-funded health and social services.