Which federal legislation requires all states to meet certain educational standards?

The No Child Left Behind Act is the correct choice because it was a significant piece of federal legislation aimed specifically at improving educational standards in public schools across the United States. Enacted in 2001, this law mandated that states set high academic standards and implement standardized testing to measure students' progress. The intention was to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education and achieve proficiency in reading and math by a set timeline.

This act introduced accountability measures for schools, requiring states to make adequate yearly progress in test scores. Schools that did not meet these standards faced consequences, including the possibility of restructuring or loss of federal funding. This emphasis on accountability transformed how states approached education, making the federal government more directly involved in setting educational standards for K-12 education.

In contrast, the other options listed pertain to different aspects of education; the Elementary and Secondary Education Act also addresses educational funding and standards but predates No Child Left Behind and laid a different framework. The Higher Education Act focuses on post-secondary education and financial aid, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures services are provided to students with disabilities. Each of these pieces of legislation has its own specific focus and context within the educational landscape, but it is the No