In a number of fundamental ways, the goals of NCLB were not achieved. Students performing at certain levels be 2014 will not be met, which was the bottom line of the legislation.

However, in a number of ways, there have been major accomplishments as a result of NCLB. For example, 48 states have committed to developing common learning standards for students, which will result in one state's student performance being reviewed by checking how students in another state have performed against similar standards.

Overall, NCLB brought a much clearer understanding of how learning standards across states vary so much, and how most states have had very low expectations of what students show know and be able to do.

The education landscape has changed dramatically since NCLB has been implemented, and many of these changes are for the good.