STUDENTS REACHING SUCCESS

Charles Shewell
Jan 28, 2023
2 min read

An Informative Blog on the Every Student Succeeds Act

Introduction

Replacing the educational law called “No Child Left Behind” in 2015 is known as ESSA, or the Every Student Succeeds Act, requiring states to measure performance in reading, math, and science, and inform guardians about the results and standards. The “report cards” each state is mandated to post online are to provide transparency through data that shows not only test performances, but graduation rates, suspensions, teacher qualifications, and absenteeism, among others.

Synthesis

ESSA is a law for schools within public education in the United States affecting all student’s learning, which includes children with learning disabilities and limited language skills in English. States now have more of a voice with how schools account for student success. A federal framework is provided, but each state has the ability to individualize their plans for education, as well as offering guardians a voice on the plans being made.

Importance of ESSA

This act holds importance through requirements of the state to explain their academic standards, testing, accountability, and future plans for supporting struggling districts to see improvement. By holding states accountable, schools have become places that receive various support systems for improvement. This also allows for states to apply for subgrants for local accountability plans. The most important thing this act provides is the advancement of equity in learning.

More to Learn & Why?

As extensive as the literature for ESSA is, there have been 19 amendments since the Covid-19 pandemic, and 5 more have been proposed for this month. Not having read all of these amendments yet, I would like to learn more about them and fill out the feedback form, which closes February 1st of this year. Understanding these amendments will allow for knowledge on the future of education, and as an educator, I feel it is not only important, but my duty to see how the future of education is paving its way for future success. Learning more about this act can bring clarity of how schools are held responsible for how students learn and achieve success through quality learning.