Miami-Dade is just one of the 72 percent of Florida school districts labeled "failing" under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, which requires schools to prove students displayed Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in math and reading for two years running. Nationwide, the figure is a startling 27 percent. As states bump up against the first deadline under the legislation, an increasingly charged atmosphere of public debate is raising a host of issues, from fears that schools' curricula are being dangerously narrowed to accusations of test score manipulation. Despite the many criticisms, proponents say NCLB's tough stance is forcing states and districts to take the action necessary to ensure all students achieve. In this article, the author describes the interventions taken by districts across the country taking the AYP challenge. Their common thread: strong leadership and a commitment to technology-driven reform.