NCLB: How Will Kids Be Tested?
by Suzanne Whitney, Research Editor
Wrightslaw

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Note: Congress has reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the statute formerly known as No Child Left Behind. The new statute, Every Student Succeeds Act, was signed into law by President Obama on December 10, 2015.

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A psychologist writes:

I have a question about NCLB. As I read it, all kids need to be on grade level as measured by the statewide assessments. As a psychologist, I don't get it.

With this in mind, what are we (educators) supposed to do? It seems as though President Bush has been visiting Lake Wobegon! Please help me understand this in a future issue.

I have been following your NCLB discussion closely. This is a big topic and my employer has not given us any info. I really appreciate your handouts for teachers and administrators and for parents.

BTW: I cannot believe how much I am enjoying your two books. I even have one set at home and one at work!

Answer from Sue Whitney, Research Editor, Wrightslaw

No Child Left Behind requires that all children will test as proficient or advanced on state tests of math, reading and science by the 2013-2014 school year.

In the meantime, the gains that the school and school district must make between now and 2014 are broken up into equal increments for different groups of children, including children who are most often left behind. Schools and school districts must break out and report the test scores for the following subgroups:

Schools will have to ensure that children at the lowest levels make the greatest gains every year if they are to reach the goal of teaching all children to read at grade level by 2014.

Proficiency Tests

These tests measure the child's performance against state proficiency standards, not against the performance of other students. States will use the proficiency levels (the equivalent of average grade level [Section 1111(b)(1)(D)(ii))(II)]) that they have already set for their state proficiency tests. This will remain constant.

I am surprised that your employer is not educating staff about No Child Left Behind - in addition to requirements about teaching children to read, write and do math, the law includes substantial benefits for people who work in schools.

Benefits of NCLB

NCLB includes a great deal of money to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and principals (i.e., bonuses and stipends). Funds are available for professional development programs and to train staff in research based educational strategies and methods. Scholarships are available for graduate school.

Here are some resources that you can use to learn more about the requirements and benefits of the No Child Left Behind Act.

No Child Left Behind - This NCLB site includes lots of fact sheets about different issues; they publish a free newsletter too.

Standards & Assessments- Non-Regulatory Draft Guidance (published by U. S. Department of Education in March 2003). Includes frequently asked questions about academic standards, academic assessments, issues related to testing special populations (children with disabilities, children learning English).

Improving Teacher Quality State Grants, Title II, Draft Non-Regulatory Guidance (U.S. Department of Education). Includes dozens of frequently asked questions and answers; excellent resource for school personnel.

No Child Left Behind Info Page - articles, news, frequently asked questions at Wrightslaw.com

Coming Soon - Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind

You wrote that you enjoy the Wrightslaw books. Read Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind by Pete Wright, Pam Wright and Sue Whitney Heath. Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind includes the full text of the NCLB statute, regulations, and resources. As a newsletter subscriber, you will receive a special pre-publication offer on the book.