A Parent's Guide to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Success for Every Child

What do I need to know about NCLB?		The No Child Left Behind Act is a federal law that governs education and is designed to improve student achievement. Your child and his or her school could be affected by this law as early as this year.
Using successful methods
Accountability
Qualified staff
Choices & information for parents
Learn more
Resources on the Internet
Download this document

	What do I need to know about NCLB?
	The law is designed to help improve student achievement by setting standards, requiring frequent testing and holding school districts accountable for student performance. There are four guiding principles: Schools are expected to teach students using methods proven to be successful. Schools and districts must demonstrate that all students are making academic progress. Teachers and paraprofessionals (such as classroom aides) must be highly qualified to work with students. Parents are given more information and more choices concerning their child’s education. All schools will benefit from the changes brought about by the No Child Left Behind Act, but schools that receive federal funding through Title I will experience the most direct impact.

	Using successful methods
	The Anchorage School District strives to use “best practices” in the classroom. For example, reading instruction throughout the district is focused on five key elements of teaching reading identified by the National Reading Panel. Teachers are trained to use these methods. They also track student progress and use the data to decide the best way to teach their students to read. Similar methods are used for math and other subjects. Schools will continue to use programs that are proven to increase student achievement. These programs can be identified through scientific research.

Next: Accountability