Implications of the No Child Left Behind Act for States in the Southwest Region

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) has made substantial changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). These changes range from new assessment and accountability provisions in Title I that affect states, school districts, and schools to increased flexibility in use of funds for several programs, including the ability to consolidate funds from certain programs at both state and local levels. Implementing these changes poses significant challenges for school officials at all levels. 

The purpose of this paper is to help educational leaders in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas gain increased knowledge of those challenges through increased understanding of the main changes in the law and increased understanding of the current situation in the states concerning the new provisions. This paper discusses how implementing the NCLBA can improve the education of our most needy students.