Everything You Wanted to Know About NCLB:
The One-Stop Resource for Community and Parent Leaders

Dear Community and Parent Leaders,

“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know” about the federal No Child Left Behind law can be found in the various sections of this website. The Public Education Network (PEN), working in conjunction with the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE), has developed materials that community leaders and parents all over the country have requested about understanding this very complex 1,000 page law. However, educators, the media, policymakers, elected officials, business organizations, and civil rights and civic organizations have also made use of this information. The purpose of providing this information is not to take a position on the law, but by being active in understanding the law, each local community can make their own judgments about how effective the law is in their own states and school districts.

NCLB presents an opportunity and a challenge.

The opportunity to close the achviement gap for low performing students and schools.

The challenge to be personally accountable for assuring that not one child is left behind.

This challenge requires community and parent leaders to become knowledgeable about the law, and take advantage of the opportunities it provides for action, engagement, and collaboration. While not perfect, the law provides more opportunities than any previous education law for parental and community involvement.

The information provided in this website is designed so that you can use as a resource, at meeting and public dialogues about NCLB, tips in how to develop your own NCLB community hearings, Action Briefs that focus on the primary sections of Title I and Title III of NCLB that includes “action tips” for parents and community leaders, and technical information about the law itself—all of which are combined in a single website. The only thing that PEN asks is that you use this information to empower your community, and inform them about the provisions and rights under the law.


Wendy Puriefoy, President
Public Education Network