Ten Things Parents Should Know About the No Child Left Behind Act

The No Child Left Behind Act is President Bush's education reform law passed by Republicans and Democrats in Congress. The No Child Left Behind Act has revolutionized the role of federal government in education. NCLB holds schools to high standards and ensures that they are accountable for students’ results.

Following are 10 facts that every parent should know about how this historic law helps your child:

• No Child Left Behind gives schools more money. In fact, President Bush is spending more money than ever before on the education of America's children.

• No Child Left Behind holds schools accountable for results. President Bush believes in the bright potential of your child, and schools are responsible for making sure your child is learning.

• No Child Left Behind gives states and school districts more control and more flexibility to use resources where they are needed most. Principals and administrators will spend less time filling out forms and more time helping your child learn.

• No Child Left Behind gives parents report cards so they can see which schools are succeeding and why. With this information, parents, community leaders, teachers, principals and elected leaders can improve schools.

• No Child Left Behind focuses on teaching methods that have been proven to work. There will be no more experimenting on children with educational fads.

• No Child Left Behind provides funding to help teachers learn to be better teachers.

• No Child Left Behind provides more than $1 billion to help children learn to read. For information on how you can help your child learn to read, call 1-877-433-7827 toll-free to order a free copy of Reading Tips for Parents.

• No Child Left Behind may let you transfer your child to a better public school if the state says the school your child attends needs to improve. Contact your local school district for more information.

• No Child Left Behind may provide your child with free tutoring if the state says his or her school needs to improve and your child is eligible. Contact your local school district for more information.

• No Child Left Behind requires states to test your child every year in grades three through eight in reading and math. Your child will also be tested at least once in high school. The tests will help you, your child and your child's teachers know how well your child is learning and when he or she needs extra help.
*Information provided by the U.S. Department of Education