NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Scientifically Based Research Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the No Child Left Behind Act, "scientifically based research" is characterized by the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures. Which of the following is an essential component of this definition?

Accepted Answer

The research has been evaluated by a peer-review process or a panel of independent experts.

Answer

NCLB specifically required that to be considered 'scientifically based,' research must be accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent experts through a rigorous and objective review. This ensures a level of quality control and validation by the scientific community, distinguishing it from anecdotal reports or non-academic publications.

Question 2

A school district is considering adopting a new mathematics curriculum to comply with NCLB's emphasis on using proven methods. They are reviewing four different programs. Which program's evidence most closely aligns with the principles of "scientifically based research"?

Accepted Answer

Program D, which was validated through a large-scale study using random assignment of students to either the new curriculum or a control group, with results published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Answer

NCLB placed a strong preference on experimental or quasi-experimental designs, especially randomized controlled trials (random assignment), as they are best suited to determine causal relationships. Program D's use of random assignment, its large scale, and its publication in a peer-reviewed journal meet the highest standards of scientifically based research under the act.

Question 3

What was the primary purpose for including the "scientifically based research" requirement in the No Child Left Behind Act?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that federal funding was directed toward educational programs and practices that had a proven record of effectiveness.

Answer

The term 'scientifically based research' appears over 100 times in the NCLB legislation. Its central purpose was to move educational practices away from fads and toward methods proven to work, thereby ensuring that federal funds were spent on interventions most likely to improve student achievement.

Question 4

The No Child Left Behind Act's definition of scientifically based research includes several key criteria. Which of the following is NOT a required characteristic for research to be considered "scientifically based" under NCLB?

Accepted Answer

The findings must be unanimously agreed upon by all experts in the field.

Answer

While NCLB required rigorous peer review, it did not mandate unanimous agreement among all experts. Science often involves debate and differing interpretations of data. The key requirement was that the research methodology was sound, systematic, and objective, and that it had passed a formal, expert review process, not that its conclusions were universally undisputed.

Question 5

A software vendor tells a school principal that their new reading intervention is supported by "scientifically based research" as defined by NCLB. The vendor presents a study showing that students in one school who used the software improved their reading scores over the year. What critical question should the principal ask to determine if this claim is valid?

Accepted Answer

"Was there a control or comparison group of similar students who did not use the software?"

Answer

A core principle of SBR under NCLB was the ability to determine if an intervention caused an effect. To do this, an experimental or quasi-experimental design is needed, which requires a control or comparison group to rule out other factors that could have caused the improvement (like normal student maturation). Without a comparison group, it's impossible to attribute the gains solely to the software.

NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Practice Test

NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Practice Test

NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act Scientifically Based Research Questions and Answers