The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002, was controversial from the outset. It arose out of concern about American K-12 students’ academic achievements as compared to other countries and the disparities in educational outcomes amongst different demographics of U.S. students. NCLB sought to bridge this internal and external achievement gap through heavier federal oversight and a substantial reliance on standardized testing. Still, this seemingly uncontentious law would generate a great deal of debate. 

Under the new law, the federal government exercised greater authority over state schools, with increased accountability for individual schools to raise students’ test scores and penalties—including funding cuts and closure—for those that didn’t. Schools were directed to report overall standardized test results as well as separate results for categories of students including special education, minority, economically disadvantaged, and ESL. NCLB faced criticism for putting an undue burden on some students, particularly special education students. 

Was No Child Left Behind Successful? 

Let’s look at some of the results of NCLB to determine whether it was a success—a topic that is still debated today. As you’ll see, answering that question is no easy task. 

It Depends on How You Judge Success 

Did NCLB meet all its goals? To be fair, few laws do. While NCLB came up short, it did have some positive impacts. Elementary school math scores increased while the law was in effect, with Black fourth graders and eighth graders reaching their highest recorded scores in the subject. This may be because NCLB spurred an increased focus on math and reading. The downside? It also caused schools to put less focus on subjects like science and social studies, which are also critical for growing minds. Educators were more likely to “teach to the test”—one longstanding criticism of standardized testing—after NCLB was implemented. 

It Depends on Whom You Ask 

There was no consensus on the success of NCLB while or after the law was in effect. The National Education Association (NEA), an educator-driven organization founded in 1857, had this to say:  

“In its relentless focus on measuring outcomes with test scores, NCLB failed to provide the resources to ensure that every student had the opportunity to learn and excel. As a result, achievement goals were never reached and teachers, students and schools were pilloried by everyone and anyone looking for a scapegoat.” 

The Washington Post did not mince words, stating unequivocally that the law had “failed.” 

FiveThirtyEight, a news and commentary website known for publishing topical stories based on data and empirical evidence, saw a significant, positive outcome among NCLB’s disappointments: 

“[S]tates have improved their capacity to track students from year to year … The improved data makes it possible to see how students’ performance changes over time.” 

The Verdict 

Ultimately, some aspects of NCLB worked and some didn’t. It’s notable that NCLB was replaced in late 2015 when President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law, perhaps the strongest indicator of NCLB’s failure. ESSA removed many of the contentious aspects of the law—for example, it shifted control away from the federal government and back to the states—and added its own new provisions. To the credits of its architects, however, NCLB did represent both an acknowledgement of the shortcomings of our education system at the time and a large-scale effort to rectify them. 

Make Your Own Contribution to Improved Student Outcomes 

If you’re an educator who has already completed a bachelor’s degree and you’re ready to expand your impact with a master’s degree in special education, The University of Texas Permian Basin is here for you. We offer online MA in special education programs that enable you to choose an area of focus that aligns with your professional goals. Choose from: 

No GRE is required for any of these programs, and you can finish your degree in as little as one year. In addition, you may be able to pay for your program with a TEACH grant, depending on your eligibility. Spring and fall sessions are just eight weeks long, while summer sessions last just seven weeks. 

The Advantages of Earning Your MA in Special Education Online 

Our MA in special education programs are offered in an asynchronous, 100% online format that empowers you to complete a career-transforming degree on your own schedule from just about anywhere in the world. No campus visits are required. This means you can continue to fulfill your professional and personal commitments while enrolled in one of our flexible special education programs. 

Make a bigger difference in students’ lives and your own career. Apply to one of our online special education master’s degree programs.