1. Standardized Testing: NCLB increased the emphasis on standardized testing in public schools. States were required to administer annual assessments in reading, mathematics, and science to all students in grades 3-8 and once in high school. These tests results were used to measure student progress and identify schools in need of improvement.
2. Accountability: NCLB implemented accountability measures for schools and school districts based on the standardized testing result. Schools that consistently failed to meet the specified standards could face consequences such as restructuring or being labeled as in "need of improvement."
3. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Schools were expected to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) in improving student achievement each year. AYP targets were set for different student groups, such as all students, racial/ethnic minorities, and students from low-income families. Schools that failed to make AYP for several years could be subject to interventions, such as increased oversight or restructuring.
4. School Choice: NCLB included provision that allowed parents to transfer their children to higher-performing schools within their districts if their current schools were not meeting AYP for multiple years. This provision was intended to encourage competition among schools and provide families with more options.
5. Funding: NCLB increased federal funding to public schools to support various educational initiatives, including professional development for teachers, early childhood education, and programs for students with disabilities.
6. Teacher Qualifications: NCLB also set requirements for teacher qualifications in core academic subjects. Teachers were required to have state certification and a bachelor's degree in their teaching subjects, and they could not teach outside of their areas of expertise.
The No Child Left Behind Act had a significant impact on public education in the United State, and its provisions have been widely debated and challenged over time. While it had the intention of improving educational opportunities and outcomes, it also facing criticisms related to its overreliance on standardized testing, excessive focus on accountability measurements, and potential negative consequences for schools and students.