The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was signed into law by President George Bush on Jan. 8, 2002. It is the latest revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The ESEA was first enacted in 1965 and encompasses Title I, the federal government’s flagship aid program for disadvantaged students.

At the core of the No Child Left Behind Act are a number of measures designed to hold states and schools accountable for the academic achievement of all students; ensure that the teaching and paraprofessional staff is highly qualified; and provide parents with access to information and choice.

Through its comprehensive reform program, Children First, the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is pursuing the spirit, as well as the letter, of No Child Left Behind. The reforms are reaching into all aspects of our school system to improve the quality of education at every one of the City’s more than 1300 schools. Through changes in school curriculum, teacher and principal hiring and training, streamlining of the bureaucracy, and increased outreach and support to parents, the NYCDOE is working to raise the achievement of all students.

Since the enactment of NCLB, the NYCDOE has been working with the New York State Education Department as well as our schools and Regions on implementing several key provisions of the law. These include disseminating information about school performance, recruiting and hiring highly qualified teachers, and notifying parents about their options for Public School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services (SES).

The links below provide more information about NCLB, and about New York City Public Schools that have been identified by the state as Schools in Need of Improvement (SINI). Students enrolled in identified schools can check eligibility and obtain information about application processes for NCLB Public School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services (SES):

Children First