Introduction
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
into law. It is designed to ensure that “From this day forward all students will have a
better chance to learn, to excel, and to live out their dreams.”
(www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/achievement/chap12.html). NCLB states that all teachers
are to be highly qualified in the core subjects in every classroom, to use proven, researchbased
instructional methods, and timely information and options for parents. Under
NCLB, states are working to close the student achievement gap and make sure all
students achieve academic proficiency, including those who are disabled and
disadvantaged. A vital element in raising achievement scores of students involves using
evidence-based teaching practices. As a result, educators are being asked to successfully
teach ALL students, and to accommodate students who need it (U.S. Department of
Education, 2007).