In 2002, when the No Child Left Behind Education Act was passed, education reform aimed to change the use of federal funds to close the achievement gap and improve the achievement levels of America’s students. Federal funding required states to finance their own spending to comply with the law and obtain federal funds.

Between 1965 and 2001, $120 billion a year in federal dollars was allocated to close the achievement gap between rich and poor. However, today, we see this gap growing ever wider.

Now legislators are asking for a reform of the law to make it more flexible and effective.

With 70% of inner-city fourth-graders unable to read at a basic level on national reading tests, concerns are raised. With our high school seniors trailing students from Cyprus, China, and South Africa on international math tests, educators are looking for ways to improve those statistics for America. Nearly a third of students entering colleges and universities today must take remedial classes before they can begin to participate in regular college courses.

So what is the hope of the advocates of the “No Child Left Behind” law? The goal is the same as a decade ago. The methods, however, are now in doubt. How to hold educators and school districts accountable for their performance is a daunting task. With states like Texas reducing state funding for schools, the problem of student achievement is becoming more frightening.

Teachers and schools already have the burden of meeting educators’ high expectations and increasingly complicated curricula. Quite frankly, teachers and schools need tons of assistance that will be lost when teachers, paraprofessionals, and anyone deemed “non-essential staff” are laid off for lack of funds.

One great contribution that Americans can make to improve the achievement of our students is to volunteer in schools.. Volunteering, by its nature, is the dedication of oneself, one’s own talents and one’s time. That is a service that cannot be legislated. Voluntary service by those equipped to offer it is the component that is shamefully missing from elementary and secondary education in America today.

American adults have the ability to contribute and have a positive impact on children’s education. Teachers and administrators need our help. Students who are “at risk” desperately need our help.

You’ve heard that old idealism “If I can make a difference in the life of just one child…” Well, we can. It is not so difficult. Working with a third grader at a nearby elementary school, I was delighted with his response to a simple suggestion intended to reduce his obvious stress as he viewed a full page of text his teacher gave him to read. I just asked him to go to the second page and read the questions first. I then showed him how he could scan the passage for key words that would lead him to the correct answers.

The ticket was in the format used for the achievement test required by the state of Texas. You have to be able to handle that format to be successful. That boy was delighted and completed the task independently and with enthusiasm. We were both happy. His teacher was relieved to learn that he could work independently. After all, he has many other students that he is responsible for and wants everyone to succeed.

Whether the No Child Left Behind Education Act remains a federally funded initiative and is extended into the next school year, our help as educated adults can be critical to students’ futures.

That tutoring session lasted only 45 minutes. Student confidence in her abilities is growing exponentially. Volunteering is certainly a win-win process! Try it. Help America’s mission to improve student achievement.