The No Child Left Behind Act is the government’s flagship aid program for disadvantaged students. It is based on the premise that setting standards and measurable goals will improve outcomes in individual education. Each state develops it’s own standards. Public schools are required to administer a statewide-standardized test annually to all students. Schools that make Adequate Yearly Progress (students score better each year at each grade level) in test scores will receive Title I funding. If the school’s results are continually poor, then steps are taken to work towards improvement. If the AYP is not achieved for a second consecutive year, then the school is labeled as being ‘in need of improvement’ and must work to develop a two-year plan for the subjects that are not being adequately taught. Missing the AYP target for a third year forces the school to provide free tutoring and supplemental education services as seen fit for struggling students. If a fourth year is missed, the school is labeled as needing ‘corrective action’ which might include re-hiring all staff, creating a new curriculum, or extending class times. A fifth year of failure to meet the AYP results in plans to restructure the entire school, and the plan will be implemented if targets are still not reached for a sixth year in a row. Common solutions include closing the school, becoming a charter school, hiring a private company to run the school, or asking the state office of education to run the school directly.
States are also required to develop measurable objectives for improvement in all students and specific groups including economically disadvantaged students, special needs students, and students who are learning English as a second language. AYP reports must be different for each unique group of students so it can be determined whether each group is progressing at a desirable rate or not.
This system of measurement for schools has a lot of benefits for both the teachers and students. First of all, there is increased accountability for schools and teachers to make sure they are providing the best education possible to their students of all different groups. If improvements are not made, then schools can face decreased funding or other consequences. The continual assessment of student progress also provides detailed information to parents about their children. Parents can be more involved in their children’s education because schools are required to send home detailed report cards explaining the school’s AYP performance, and they must notify parents when a teacher does not meet qualifications. Another benefit to measuring AYP is that students can choose to change schools if the one they are currently attending is not up to standard.
The NCLB Act also includes incentives to reward schools that show progress for students with disabilities. Students with Individualized Education Programs (see previous blog post for more information: http://www.toussaintlawfirm.com/ensuring-the-best-education-for-your-special-needs-child/) are counted just as any other students’ scores are counted. It also ensures that special needs students have access to highly qualified teachers, which means they will be in the classroom with individuals that better understand their unique needs. There have been a lot of positive effects for special needs students including a lower dropout rate, increased graduation rates, and more effective transition to post secondary education.