The Challenges of No Child Left Behind : Understanding the Issues of Excellence, Accountability, and Choice

Over the past 25 years a major shift in political ideology has refocused educational politics from equality issues to issues relating to excellence, accountability, and choice. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) first passed in 1965. NCLB legislation is a continuation of the educational reform movement for improved academic achievement that began in 1983 with publication of a government report, A Nation at Risk, which called for higher standards to prepare students for the 21st century. Reaction to the at-risk report generated many reform initiatives resulting in the assessment, standards and accountability movement today.

The organizational structure of the NCLB covers 10 separate titles. This book provides an enhanced understanding of the NCLB major features and suggests resources in the areas of: History of Accountability and Achievement; Adequate Yearly Progress; Highly-Qualified Teachers; Title I; Reading and Early Childhood; School Reform including Charters and Vouchers; Restructuring; School Finance; and High School Reform.

E. Jane Irons has more than 30 years experience in the field of education. She has been a mathematics teacher, elementary principal, educational diagnostician, school psychologist program director, and special education program director. Currently, she is a professor of educational leadership at Lamar University in Texas.

Sandra Harris is the director of the Lamar University (TX) Center for Research and Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership. She has been a public and private school educator for over 35 years as a K-12 teacher, administrator, and university professor.