Which federal law held schools accountable for student achievement?

• A. Common Core
• B. Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
• C. No Child Left Behind Act
• D. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Answer: (C)

The key concept is accountability for student achievement through federal policy. The No Child Left Behind Act, enacted in 2001, reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with a strong focus on measurable outcomes. It required states to develop annual testing in reading and math, set targets for student progress, and publicly report school performance. Schools that failed to meet these targets faced consequences and were required to implement improvement plans. This emphasis on annual accountability and consequences for underperformance is what sets No Child Left Behind apart as the federal law that held schools responsible for student achievement.

For context, the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act provided funding and broad goals but did not impose the same level of accountability requirements. Common Core refers to a set of standards rather than a federal accountability law, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act focuses on a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities rather than overall accountability of all schools.