Final answer:
The new focus on outcomes measuring academic results led to a 'teaching to the test' approach, due to the No Child Left Behind Act, which had mixed results such as increased test performance but higher dropout rates and could compromise more comprehensive educational goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
A new focus on outcomes that measured academic results in a child's education led to a shift in educational practices, particularly under the No Child Left Behind Act. This focus influenced schools to adopt a teaching to the test approach, where the curriculum was designed primarily to improve student performance on standardized tests. The implications were significant: while there was an increase in test performance, including among students with disabilities, the policy also contributed to higher dropout rates and fostered a less welcoming environment for students with disabilities as schools sought to increase average scores. Furthermore, this focus on standardized testing often compromised the breadth and depth of the educational experience, prioritising short-term factual recall over lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.
Moreover, the act tied school funding to performance on these tests, which applied pressure to schools to improve test scores or face corrective actions. While these measures were intended to increase academic standards and provide more options for parents by fostering competition and accountability, they also resulted in significant debate over the true impact on educational quality and equity. The NCLB act was eventually phased out, with policymakers seeking new ways to address the complexities of education reform.