Blog B

On January 8th,2002 President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act which is intertwined with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The act was made to focus on the academic achievement gap between minority students and disadvantaged students. There are four main focuses within the act including,"stronger accountability for results, expanded flexibility at the local level, expanded options for parents and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work".(38 of Special Edu. For all teachers, 4th edition) It requires teachers to be highly qualified with a list of requirements such as, completed the states certification and licensing requirements, received at least a Bachelors degree and has demonstrated professional knowledge of their subject. Over 100 times the act uses the phrase, "scientifically based research" and according to NCLB this means, "It applies rigorous, systematic and objective procedures to obtain valid knowledge relevant to reading development, reading instruction and reading difficulties".(wikipedia)

This act was produced to ensure that the state is requiring teachers to have all their students at the reading and writing levels they need to be at. It's focusing on the requirement for the teachers and make sure they are eligible or at least being taught a way that can fulfill the children's needs. It's giving children with disabilities a chance to live up to higher standards then expected. Being able to be looked upon as 'normal' will mean a lot to these students because probably all their life they have had lower standards.

Works Cited:
www.edweek.org/rc/issues/no-child-left-behind/
www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
www.whitehouse.gov/news/reports/no-child-left-behind.html
Book-Special Education for All teachers.Fourth Edition.