EWA reform brief on the testing provisions of No Child Left Behind pdf The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act explains itself - every child in every public school should get the best possible education. The federal plan calls for states to establish standards - and assessments - that ensure all children reach proficiency in reading and math by 2014. How they do it, what standards they set and what tests they use, are left up to the states. Education Writers Association, 11/1/2004