Among the bipartisan legislative accomplishments forged by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who died of brain cancer Aug. 25, was the 2001 No Child Left Behind law. It requires states to set objectives of proficiency in basic skills. Schools that receive federal Title I funds face sanctions if they don’t meet the standards.

Kennedy worked with former President George W. Bush to enact the law, but later complained that the Bush administration had failed to provide enough money. The law has proved controversial among teachers and public school officials, and the Obama administration is currently weighing changes. But it has helped pave the way for a growing movement behind developing national academic standards.

Filed under: K-12 Education News