No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a federal legislation that sets high academic goals and describes school success. It is based on the ambitious goal that ALL children will be proficient in reading and math by 2014. Aimed at K-12 education, NCLB holds schools accountable for improving student performance. The law requires that all children be taught by “highly qualified” teachers.  The law also emphasizes improving communication with parents and making all schools safer for students.

What is "adequate yearly progress" (AYP)?
To achieve the goal of all children being “proficient” (as defined by each state) by 2014, all public schools and districts must make satisfactory improvement each year toward that goal.  Based on criteria included in NCLB, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has established specific annual targets for AYP in communication arts and math.