The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was first passed by Congress in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The most recent reauthorization of this legislation is the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 NCLB). The primary function of NCLB is to closse the achievement gap between groups of students by requiring greater accounntiblity and offering increased flexibility and choice. The NCLB Act affects almost every school district and charter in the State.

The Waco ISD State and Federal Programs Office is responsible for the district-level administration and implementation of federal education programs under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Ed-Flex Partnership program.