Accountability under No Child Left Behind

in the economy and in society, mastery of highlevel skills and knowledge is more important than ever. Our students know this. Young people from all backgrounds have high expectations for both themselves and their schools, as do their families and communities. But for too long, our schools have not lived up to their responsibilities to these students. They have focused disproportionately on either those students who are traditionally high-achieving or on overall performance averages that have masked significant gaps between various groups. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act seeks to change this culture. By requiring states to set achievement goals for all groups of students and holding schools and systems accountable for their progress toward meeting those goals, NCLB prompts educators across the country to challenge long-held beliefs and practices and to do what is necessary to ensure that all students achieve at high levels.