The act, approved by Congress and signed by
President Bush on Jan. 8, 2002, is a reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It is the most comprehensive piece of federal
legislation since the original 1965 ESEA, which targeted Title I monies to
the nation’s low-wealth school districts and children. The major focus of
the act is to provide all children with a fair, equal and significant opportunity
to obtain a high-quality education.
The Act requires states:
- Provide public school choice and supplemental services
for students in failing schools as early as fall 2002.
- Integrate scientifically-based reaching research into comprehensive
reading instruction for young children.
- Set and monitor adequate yearly progress, based on baseline
2001-02 data.
- Issue annual report cards on school performance and statewide
test results by 2002-03.
- Implement annual, standards-based assessments in reading
and math for grades 3-8 by 2005-06.
- Assure that all classes are taught by a qualified teacher
by 2005-06.
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