Taking effect in Fall 2002, the No Child Left Behind legislation will help to enable a high-quality education for every child in America, regardless of income, ability, or background. The legislation gives states more flexibility on how they spend their education dollars, and in return, requires them to set standards for student achievement and to hold students, teachers, and other educators accountable for results. No Child Left Behind also gives parents new opportunities to ensure that their children receive the very best education possible. This guide for parents outlines what they need to know about the legislation. Using a question and answer format, the guide details the legislation's impact in the areas of: (1) accountability, including requirements for states and school districts to publish report cards on school performance; (2) testing, including effects of testing requirements on teaching; (3) reading, including why it is important for children to read better so early in school, and the goals of the Reading First initiative; (4) what works, detailing the role of scientifically based research in the legislation requirements; (5) teachers, including how parents can help their child's teacher; (6) creating safer schools, including the "Unsafe School Choice Option"; and (7) Choice, including who would be eligible for the school choice option and who can offer alternative schooling. (Contains a list of Web sites for additional information, key implementation dates, and a glossary.) (HTH)