Final answer:
The false statement about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is option d) NCLB pushes prayer, allows freer access to students by military recruiters, and protects discriminatory practices of certain groups. This statement is not accurate; while the act did allow military recruiters to access student information, it did not push prayer or protect discriminatory practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In assessing the statements about the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, it becomes clear that the false statement is:d. NCLB pushes prayer, allows freer access to students by military recruiters, and protects discriminatory practices of certain groups.
Regarding the remaining options:
a. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is concerned with setting benchmarks for schools to meet state-established educational standards, but it does not necessarily focus on 'reasonable progress from where a student began.'
b. There are 10 student groups under NCLB which must all meet AYP, including various racial, economic, disability, and English language proficiency classifications.
c. Teaching to the test is an often criticized result of NCLB's focus on standardized testing, which some argue can detract from broader educational goals and critical thinking skills.
The incorrect statement (d) includes several inaccuracies. NCLB did not push prayer in schools, which would be unconstitutional under the separation of church and state. While the act did give military recruiters access to student contact information, it did not inherently 'push' prayer nor protect discriminatory practices.