No Child Left Behind Act

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the version of the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act in place from 2002 to 2015. It was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Explainer

No Child Left Behind: An Overview
A primer on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Its successor, the Every Student Succeeds Act, replaced NCLB in Dec. 2015.
Grammar class at a Boston-area school in 1892.
Grammar class at a Boston-area school in 1892.
Augustine H. Folsom/Boston Public Library
Reading & Literacy Will the Common Core Step Up Schools' Focus on Grammar?
To read and understand complex texts, some educators say students will need a deep knowledge of grammar.
Liana Loewus, February 23, 2016
8 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Commenters Clash on What ESSA Rules Should Look Like
As the U.S. Department of Education prepares to craft regulations putting the Every Student Succeeds Act into effect, advocates and policymakers offer differing visions for the path forward.
Alyson Klein & Andrew Ujifusa, February 8, 2016
7 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA Guidance Continues to Roll Out
Testing issues and states without NCLB waivers are among the topics discussed in some recent the Education Department guidance on transition to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Alyson Klein, February 8, 2016
2 min read
Fourth grade teacher Kassie Hibbard leads a math lesson in the Bethel school district in Washington state. The district is one of many experimenting with open educational resources.
Fourth grade teacher Kassie Hibbard leads a math lesson in the Bethel school district in Washington state. The district is one of many experimenting with open educational resources.
Ian C. Bates for Education Week-File
Every Student Succeeds Act Open Education Resources Get Major Boost From ESSA
The sweeping federal law contains specific language that allows states and local education agencies to channel block grant money focused on technology toward open materials.
Sean Cavanagh, January 19, 2016
5 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Education Department Gets Feedback on Preparing ESSA Rules
Advocates sound off on the first of two hearings how federal officials should go about coming up with rules to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Alyson Klein, January 19, 2016
5 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA Poses Capacity Challenges for State Education Agencies
State education departments, hollowed out by budget and staff cuts in recent years, gird for new authority and responsibility under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Daarel Burnette II, January 19, 2016
7 min read
Hillary Clinton: The Democratic presidential front-runner has made headlines on a variety of K-12 issues.
Hillary Clinton: The Democratic presidential front-runner has made headlines on a variety of K-12 issues.
John Locher/AP
Every Student Succeeds Act K-12 Still Struggling for Traction as Campaign Issue
School policy could be further marginalized in the 2016 presidential race now that ESSA resolves big questions over federal power in areas like testing and teacher evaluation.
Andrew Ujifusa, January 12, 2016
7 min read
Ruth Curran Nield, who took the helm at the Institute of Education Sciences in July, said ESSA's shift to let states develop their own evidence standards is "moving us into smarter territory."
Ruth Curran Nield, who took the helm at the Institute of Education Sciences in July, said ESSA's shift to let states develop their own evidence standards is "moving us into smarter territory."
Jared Soares for Education Week
Every Student Succeeds Act Education Research Arm Gears Up for New ESSA Role
The Institute of Education Sciences has a new chief, new offices, and a new role—but its own reauthorization is still in limbo.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 12, 2016
6 min read
First grader Makayla Taylor, 6, walks to breakfast at Aspire Public Schools in Memphis, Tenn., which is part of the state's Achievement School District.
First grader Makayla Taylor, 6, walks to breakfast at Aspire Public Schools in Memphis, Tenn., which is part of the state's Achievement School District.
Swikar Patel, Education Week
Equity & Diversity Political Winds Buffet Tenn.'s Achievement School District
The state-run district that takes over low-performing schools has run into partisan trouble fueled by a study showing progress lagging at those schools compared with other turnaround models.
Daarel Burnette II, January 12, 2016
5 min read
Students point to the beginning of a musical measure during a band class last September at East Middle School in Tullahoma, Tenn.
Students point to the beginning of a musical measure during a band class last September at East Middle School in Tullahoma, Tenn.
Josh Anderson for Education Week
Every Student Succeeds Act Arts Learning Keeps Toehold in ESSA
Unlike earlier proposals in Congress, the new law includes language that cements states' obligation to support arts education.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, January 5, 2016
2 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act NCLB Rewrite Sets New Path on School Research
The Every Student Succeeds Act takes a more flexible, more nuanced approach to assessing the research evidence for educational programs and policies.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 5, 2016
7 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA Reins In, Reshapes Federal Role in Literacy
The new program is smaller and less prescriptive than Reading First, and it can be applied to students of all ages.
Liana Loewus, January 5, 2016
2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Chris Whetzel for Education Week
Education Funding Opinion With ESSA Passage, Delaware Offers Lessons
Paul Herdman of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware checks in where his state is after RTTT and how the state's education plan can serve as a model for other states responding to ESSA's reduction of federal oversight.
Paul Herdman, January 5, 2016
6 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Funding Flexibility Enhanced Under New K-12 Law
ESSA, the newly reauthorized version of the ESEA, makes changes in how schools can use money set aside for economically disadvantaged students.
Andrew Ujifusa, January 5, 2016
6 min read