The U.S. Department of Education Annual Plan for 2002-03 establishes six goals for the agency and the nation. They include creating a culture of achievement, improving student achievement, developing safe schools and strong character, transforming education into an evidence-based field, enhancing the quality of and access to postsecondary and…

The passage of the No Child Left Behind Act marks the most significant shift in federal education policy in 35 years. It calls for a revolutionary change in the culture and values of the American educational system and a transformation in the U.S. Department of Education's (DE) accountability practices. In the coming years, the DE will lead a…

The National Conference of State Legislatures convened a task force in 2001 to examine the role of state legislatures in addressing the shortage of qualified and interested candidates for positions in school leadership. This report contains the work of the task force over an 18-month period. The task force sorted data, research, and information…

Under the 1998 reauthorization of Title II of the Higher Education Act, the secretary of education is required to issue annual reports to Congress on the state of teacher quality nationwide. "Meeting the Highly Qualified Teachers Challenge" is the inaugural report on this important issue. The 1998 reauthorization also established a…

This report examines two components of federal legislation to enhance teaching quality by improving the training of prospective teachers and the qualifications of current teachers. One component provides grants, and the other (the accountability provisions) requires collecting and reporting information the quality of teacher training programs and…

This paper presents First Lady Laura Bush's opening remarks at the White House Conference on Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers. She described the President's No Child Left Behind Act, which allows schools flexibility to use federal funds where the local need is greatest (teacher recruitment, improving teacher training, and increasing teacher pay in…

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was signed into law on January 8, 2002, by President George W. Bush. Principles and strategies incorporated into the Act include: increased accountability for states, school districts, and schools; greater choice for parents and students; greater flexibility for states and school districts in the use of federal…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) amends and changes programs from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Although the main component of this bill is Title I, it also highlights teacher education quality. NCLB was accompanied, for fiscal year 2002, by the largest increase ever in federal education aid, targeting federal resources to support…

Research shows that teacher quality affects student achievement more greatly than any other school-based variable. The No Child Left Behind Act requires a "highly qualified" teacher in every classroom by the 2005-2006 school year and achievement gains by all students over time. These realities give policymakers a strong incentive to focus on…

Through the No Child Left Behind Act and various budget proposals, President Bush is addressing the challenges of teacher quality and teacher training byassisting states and districts as they strive to improve teacher quality, taking specific steps to enhance the teaching profession and work environment, and providing new tools for teachers in…

This Executive Order establishes the President's Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities (Board) within the Department of Education. The Board shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the President. The Board shall include representatives of tribal colleges and may also include representatives of other education…

This document outlines the partnership that exists between the federal government and the 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. These institutions are credited with fostering the continuation of the growth of this nation and of assuring that no child is left behind. HBCUs have a century-long tradition of…