What is the purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act?

The purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is centered on improving educational standards across the United States. This federal law, enacted in 2001, aimed to enhance the quality of education by setting high standards and establishing measurable goals to ensure that all students, regardless of background, achieve proficiency in core academic subjects. It emphasized accountability by requiring states to administer standardized tests to assess student progress and mandated that schools, including those that were underperforming, implement improvement plans to enhance educational outcomes.

This focus on raising educational standards was intended to close the achievement gap among diverse student populations, ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. The shift towards accountability and performance metrics under NCLB made it a significant legislative effort aimed at overall school improvement rather than merely providing funding or school choices.