NOTE: The "No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)" has been officially replaced with the "Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)." The 2016-2017 school year is a "transition" year in which school districts will move away from the old NCLB policies toward the new ESSA policies. ESSA goes into full effect for the 2017-2018 school year, and this page will be updated, accordingly.
The "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)" reauthorizes the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965" and expands on major reforms, particularly in the areas of state academic standards, assessments, accountability, and school improvement. The new federal law requires states to develop assessments linked to these standards for all students. The largest single program in NCLB is Title 1-Part A
Functions of NCLB:
- Provides extra money to eligible schools to assist students in reaching proficient levels on state assessments
- Holds schools and districts accountable
- Asks parents to help shape the Single Plan for Student Achievement
- Allows parents to learn about teachers' credentials
- Allows parents to request the district's "Parent Involvement Policy"
- Allocates money for parent involvement programs
- Requires parents, schools, and students to work together
- Encourages parents to make sure that NCLB laws are followed
- Offers new options to parents of children attending "Program Improvement (PI)" schools
Performance Goals of NCLB:
- All students will be taught by highly qualified teachers by the end of the 2005-06 school year
- All students, including English learners and students with disabilities, will attain "proficiency" in reading and mathematics by 2014
- All English learners will become proficient in English
- All students will learn in schools that are safe and drug free
- All students will graduate from high school
Program Improvement (PI):
Schools that don't meet each schoolwide and subgroup academic performance goal for two years in a row are placed into "Program Improvement (PI) status. Parents with children in PI schools are offered new options under NCLB:
- CHOICE: During the first year a school enters Program Improvement status (PI-1), parents may transfer their children to another school in the district that is not in Program Improvement status. Transportation must be provided by the district using Title 1 funds as necessary.
- Supplemental Educational Services (SES): During the second year of Program Improvement status (PI-2), parents of students at the PI school may request tutoring provided under the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program. Requests for services are made through the school principal. You may view the 2015-2016 List of CDE Approved SES Providers for VUSD here.