The Achievement Gap and the no Child Left Behind Act: Is there a Connection

Abstract

Closing the achievement gap between white and minority students is a proposed goal of the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). We discuss equity in assess to quality education since most students attend public schools; and should enjoy educational equity under the Equal Protection Clause under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We examine the academic achievement gap between the races; and the responsibility of educators and students to close this gap; and the NCLB connection to closing this gap. We also examine the intended and unintended effects of NCLB on minority students and educators.

Citation

Gooden, M.A. and Nowlin, T.Y. (2006), "The Achievement Gap and the no Child Left Behind Act: Is there a Connection", Brown, F. and Hunter, R.C. (Ed.) No Child Left Behind and other Federal Programs for Urban School Districts (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 9), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 231-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3660(06)09012-3