I've never actually seen clearly stated goals of NCLB, at least not in recent memory. But with the name of No Child Left Behind, I'm thinking the goal was probably focused on the low achievers. If it has actually helped those children, then NCLB has not failed. But if it has not helped gifted children get even farther ahead, I'm not sure we can say it failed to meet it's goal. We can say the goals failed to address our children's needs, and ask for change. I think I'm a real stickler for defining the goal, seeing if it's met, and verifying the goal is a good one.
