The No Child Left Behind Act is an act of Congress that reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, an act that provides federal aid for disadvantaged students. NCLB sets high standards and measurable goals to improve individual outcomes in education. According to NCLB, states are to develop assessments for basic skills in select grade levels  to receive federal funding.

 NCLB expands the government’s role in public education by emphasizing annual testing, annual academic progress, report cards, teacher qualifications, and changes in funding. NCLB stated that all children were to be proficient in math and reading by 2014.