First enacted in 1965, this act is the principal federal law affecting K-12 education. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is the most recent reauthorization of the ESEA. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development explains that the most well-known provision of ESEA is Title I and that the 2002 version requires that states administer annual tests to assess progress.

This act was originally signed into law in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was enacted to improve education opportunities specifically as they related to minority and disadvantaged students.

(ESEA): the reauthorization of ESEA in 2001 by the No Child Left Behind Act mandated several changes, including: Increased accountability. Greater choice for parents and students, particularly those attending schools in need of improvement. More flexibility for states and districts in using Federal education dollars. Stronger emphasis on academic achievement, especially in reading and math. Title I is the section of this Act that directs Federal funds to schools serving large numbers of low-income students.