No Child Left Behind Glossary of Terms

  • Published: July 31, 2007 by Carol
  • Updated: July 31, 2007 by Anonymous
At times the lingo and acronyms used in education these days may seem like a foreign language to parents and community members. Read below for a short list of terms commonly used in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Adequate Yearly Progress – (AYP)
An individual state's measure of yearly progress toward achieving state academic standards. "Adequate Yearly Progress" is the minimum level of improvement that states, school districts and schools must achieve each year.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act – (ESEA)
First enacted in 1965, is the principal federal law affecting K-12 education. The No Child Left Behind Act is the most recent reauthorization of the ESEA.

English Language Learner – (ELL)
A student who has limited skills in the use of the English Language. Also LEP, Limited English Proficient.

English Language Proficiency – (ELP)
Refers to the degree to which a student exhibits control over the use of language in such areas as reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Proficiency in a language is judged independently and does not imply a lack of proficiency in another language.

Local Education Agency — (LEA)
A public board of education or other publicauthority within a State which maintains administrative control of public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a state.

No Child Left Behind – (NCLB)
Refers to the current law governing public education in the U.S.


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