Since the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, education policy makers have focused on students at the lower end of the achievement spectrum, specifically those struggling to meet standards, particularly in reading and mathematics. However, those who are considered gifted have been increasingly underserved, at the expense of high ability learners in the United States. When the No Child Left Behind law was enacted in 2001, it forced schools to deeply subsidize the education of students performing below grade level. As result, gifted programs have suffered. For example, Illinois's gifted and talented programs experienced a $16 million cut and $5 million was eliminated from Michigan's GT programs. Federal spending declined from $11.3 million to $7.6 million in 2007 alone. This paper will provide historical background on NCLB and gifted education in the United States, funding trends for NCLB and gifted programs, and the impact of this legislation on our nation?s best and brightest students.