What significant change in focus was established by the No Child Left Behind Act for students with disabilities?

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) marked a pivotal shift in educational policy by introducing a strong emphasis on accountability in student achievement, particularly for students with disabilities. This legislation mandated that all students, including those with disabilities, be included in standardized testing and that their educational progress be measured against specific, quantifiable benchmarks.

The purpose of this increased focus on accountability was to ensure that students with disabilities had access to a free and appropriate public education while also holding schools responsible for their academic outcomes. Schools were required to demonstrate that all students, regardless of their learning needs, were making adequate yearly progress. This approach aimed to close the achievement gap and ensure that no child, including those with disabilities, fell behind.

While funding for special education, classroom sizes, and vocational training are important aspects of supporting students with disabilities, the defining change initiated by the NCLB was the establishment of rigorous requirements for accountability in terms of academic performance and standardized evaluations.