No Child Left Behind Act

This federal act requires all schools, school districts, and states to publish report cards containing assessment data and other information that illustrates student progress. These school report cards include school demographics, graduation and dropout rates for secondary schools, and information on school improvement plans when applicable.

Reporting Requirements

School report cards may be viewed online. A District report card is accessible from this page.

Adequate Yearly Progress

One of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act is that states must establish a starting point for proficiency and gradually raise student achievement scores so by 2014 all students meet standards.

School Improvement

If a Title I funded school falls short of AYP in any of the nine categories over two consecutive years, it is placed on a “school in need of improvement” list. Possible federal sanctions include restructuring, state takeover, or management by private firms over a period of several years. In addition, eligible parents have the option of transferring their children to other public schools that are not “in improvement” or receiving outside tutoring assistance.

Parents' Right to Know

School districts are required to notify parents of students at Title I schools annually of their right to request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher. The information provided includes licensing and certification for grade level and subject; emergency or other provisional status; B.A. major and graduate degrees; and paraprofessionals and qualifications (if serving the child). Districts are also required to notify parents if students have a teacher for four weeks who is not “highly qualified”.

Highly-Qualified Teachers

The term “Highly Qualified” applies only to those funded by Title I. These teachers must have a bachelor’s degree and hold full state certification. In addition, they must either hold national board certification in the assigned core academic subject(s) or be endorsed in the core academic subject(s) they teach.

Title 1 Schools

Schools impacted by poverty as measured by the percentage of children receiving free and reduced lunch may receive federal funding through a program known as "Title 1".