Which statement is a primary objective of No Child Left Behind?

• A. Excluding students with disabilities from state testing
• B. Lowering standards for at-risk students
• C. High standards and measurable goals for all students
• D. Eliminating general education requirements

Answer: (C)

The main idea is accountability through high standards and measurable goals for every student, with regular state testing to track progress and inform improvements. No Child Left Behind was built to push for rigorous academic expectations for all learners and to use data from annual assessments to show how well schools are helping everyone reach proficiency, including students who are at risk. That focus on universal high standards and concrete, trackable goals is exactly what the correct statement conveys. Excluding students with disabilities from testing would undermine the accountability system, lowering progress accuracy. Lowering standards for at-risk students runs opposite to the push for stronger expectations. Eliminating general education requirements doesn’t reflect the program’s aim to ensure all students have access to a solid, standards-based education with accountability.