C. What needs to be done vs. what has been done on a national level?

Currently in the United States our high school seniors are trailing students in Cyprus and South Africa on international math examinations. Nearly one third of our college freshman find it necessary to take a remedial course before beginning the regular college level courses. At the beginning of year 2002, George W. Bush initiated the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), one of the largest attempts to give an equal opportunity to all students and overall improve the quality of our nation.

Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) schools are responsible for maintaining high academic standards for all students, including disadvantaged students. In order to guarantee that these standards are met, a sample of 4th and 8th grade students from every state are tested annually with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Additionally, states that narrow the achievement gap and increase the overall education are rewarded. The most successful schools in improving the education for the disadvantaged students are recognized and rewarded with "No Child Left Behind" bonuses.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law guaranteeing service toward children with disabilities in the United States. On December 3, 2004, President George W. Bush signed the IDEA into law. IDEA works alongside the ESEA and NCLB act to ensure some of the basic educational standards are met. IDEA Part B provides services for children and young adults from the ages of three to twenty-one. The IDEA helps to ensure that educational standards are met by allowing the use of funds for school programs, enforcing goals and requiring tests to show these goals are met, requiring annual reports of progress in students and school, as well as many other methods. IDEA Part C provides early services for infants and toddlers (new-born to 2 years) with disabilities.