Thankfully, our federal government is finally beginning to adapt its highly touted legislative initiative - No Child Left Behind - in ways that account for the wide range of education dilemmas plaguing schools. Recent adjustments to some of the mandate's guidelines bode well for our potential to work together to realize improved academic results and higher standards. While No Child Left Behind adds another layer of accountability for students, teaching professionals, and administrators, it has ironically provided us with a starting point in the broader national public education debate. The fate of this far-reaching piece of legislation depends on our federal and state legislators to ensure that there is adequate funding and support for implementation. More efforts at collaboration across governmental levels can lead to federal education mandates that reflect the degree of variation that characterizes school systems across the country. The "one size fits all" policies do not stand a chance in the face of the disparate challenges confronting school leaders. Only sound strategies, committed advocates, fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions will move us closer to raising the bar for student academic performance as well as high quality local schools.