Public Education Unfiltered

The Rise of No Child Left Behind

Brian J. Stephens

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0:00 | 22:49

This episode introduces major school reforms and focuses on the origins of No Child Left Behind. It explains how persistent achievement gaps led to a push for accountability, driven by the belief that higher expectations and transparency would improve outcomes. The discussion highlights the law’s bipartisan support, its roots in the Texas model, and the shift from limited accountability to data-driven oversight, setting up an analysis of where the approach may have fallen short.