The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, the revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is a potent blend of new requirements, incentives and resources, and it poses significant challenges for states.

The law sets deadlines for states to expand the scope and frequency of student testing, revamp their accountability systems and guarantee that every teacher is qualified in their subject area. NCLB requires states to make demonstrable annual progress in raising the percentage of students proficient in reading and math, and in narrowing the test-score gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students. At the same time, the new law increases funding in several areas, including K-3 reading programs and before- and after-school programs, and provides states with greater flexibility to use federal funds as they see fit.

NCLB is an ambitious law and forces states to move faster and further to improve the achievement of every student. Perhaps the combination of NCLB's tight timelines and high expectations and existing state education agendas will prove successful where past reform efforts have fallen short.

© 2004 Education Commission of the States

More Information
	NCLB: Is your state on track? Use the new ECS database to get a "real-time" snapshot of how your state is doing in meeting goals of the No Child Left Behind Act.
	Final Rules and Non-Regulatory Draft Guidance This table contains links to final rules and non-regulatory draft guidance issued by the US Department of Education
	Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported By Rigorous Evidence This guide contains definitions of what constitutes "rigorous" evidence of effectiveness when it comes to evaluating the research track records of educational programs and practices.
	NCLB: The Challenge of Implementation Download the Powerpoint presented at the New England Conference on Implementing NCLB.
	State Accountability and Consolidated Plans This chart links you to state accountability and consolidated plans and to state NCLB Web sites.
	No State Left Behind: The Challenges and Opportunities of ESEA 2001 ECS' summary of NCLB, which includes state examples and policy questions.