No Child Left Behind (NCLB), a federal law enacted in 2001, aimed to improve student achievement by setting standardized tests as the primary measure of school and teacher performance. NCLB's consequences included teaching to the test, narrowing of the curriculum, decreased funding for subjects like music and art, and labeling of schools as failures based solely on test scores. NCLB's focus on test scores and punishment for failing schools created a high-stakes environment that put pressure on teachers, administrators, and students. This pressure led to widespread cheating and widespread test-preparation practices, rather than meaningful learning.Additionally, schools serving low-income and minority students were disproportionately affected, leading to further educational disparities. The law was replaced by Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015, but the impact of NCLB on American education remains a topic of debate and concern.
Previous Fact Next Fact