Argues that the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 will have an adverse effect on education in the United States New education laws call for new testing, accountablity and reports cards at the state, district and school levels. Despite the enormous reach of these new developments, few people actually understand them. This book makes these laws and their implications clear. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IX PREFACE TO THE PAPERBACK EDITION XI INTRODUCTION: SCHOOLS UNDER SCRUTINY 1(12) PART I. THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT 1. A MAJOR EDUCATION LAW'S TESTING REQUIREMENTS 13(8) 2. ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP): LITTLE LETTERS-BIG IMPACT 21(16) 3. REPORT CARDS AND SANCTIONS 37(12) PART II. EDUCATIONAL TESTS: THE HEART OF THE MATTER 4. SOME NUTS AND BOLTS OF EDUCATIONAL TESTING 49(12) 5. MEASURING TEMPERATURE WITH A TABLESPOON 61(14) 6. TODAY'S STANDARDS-BASED TESTS 75(8) 7. INSTRUCTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY TESTS 83(12) PART III. EVALUATING SCHOOLS 8. THE EVIDENCE NEEDED TO EVALUATE SCHOOLS 95(10) 9. STUDENT AFFECT 105(12) 10. DETERMINING A PARTICULAR SCHOOL'S QUALITY 117(16) CONCLUSION: WHAT TO DO NOW? 133(20) ADDITIONAL READING 153(4) NOTES 157