In 2001, almost 50 years after the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed. The purpose of this legislation is to reform the public education system and bring equal education opportunities to all children regardless of race or socioeconomic class. Under the Act's accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, will achieve academic proficiency in reading and math. They must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform the public about school performance. Schools that do not perform well (failing schools) must provide supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance; take corrective actions; and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

NCLB reinforces the spirit of Brown v. Board in calling on states to ensure equity in public education for all American children.  Attention needs to be given to some of the obstacles to this goal, particularly the impacts of concentrated poverty and racial segregation. Schools that comprise an overwhelmingly economically disadvantage student body, also tend to be majority minority, particularly black and Hispanic -- and although it is difficult to untangle the effects of socioeconomic class from race, research has also shown that districts more than 70% black are typically less well funded - getting an average of $228 less per pupil than majority white schools.

While Education Secretary Rod Paige considers the No Child Left Behind Act "a logical extension of Brown v Board," its likely impact can not be predicted without taking into account racial and economic segregation, as well as unequal funding across school districts.