ESEA

Definition

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is a landmark piece of federal legislation enacted in 1965 aimed at addressing educational inequality and improving educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in the United States. ESEA provided federal funding to schools, with the goal of enhancing education for low-income students, increasing resources for schools, and promoting accountability through standardized testing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ESEA was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his 'War on Poverty' initiative, reflecting a commitment to educational equity.
2. The act introduced several funding programs aimed at improving educational resources for schools in low-income areas.
3. ESEA established mechanisms for assessing student progress through standardized tests, holding schools accountable for student outcomes.
4. Over the years, ESEA has been reauthorized multiple times, including significant revisions under No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds Act.
5. ESEA has had a lasting impact on American education policy, influencing federal funding allocations and strategies aimed at closing achievement gaps.

Review Questions

• How did the ESEA address educational inequality in the United States?
  • The ESEA aimed to combat educational inequality by providing federal funding to schools that served low-income students. This funding was intended to enhance educational resources, support programs, and improve overall school performance. By focusing on disadvantaged populations, ESEA sought to create equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
• In what ways did No Child Left Behind change the landscape of accountability in education after the original ESEA?
  • No Child Left Behind, as a reauthorization of the ESEA, placed a stronger emphasis on accountability through standardized testing. Schools were required to demonstrate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in student performance, leading to consequences for schools that failed to meet these benchmarks. This shift created a more data-driven approach to education, focusing on measurable outcomes and increasing pressure on schools to improve student achievement.
• Evaluate the implications of the Every Student Succeeds Act as a successor to No Child Left Behind in relation to ESEA's original goals.
  • The Every Student Succeeds Act aimed to address some criticisms of No Child Left Behind by granting states more flexibility in how they implement accountability measures while still focusing on equity. ESSA emphasizes local control over education policy while maintaining provisions for federal oversight to ensure disadvantaged students continue receiving necessary support. This shift reflects a balance between accountability and local autonomy, ultimately working towards ESEA's original goal of providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.

Related terms

Title I: A provision of the ESEA that allocates federal funds to schools serving low-income students to ensure they receive a quality education.

No Child Left Behind:

The 2001 reauthorization of the ESEA that emphasized standardized testing and accountability measures for schools to improve student performance.

Every Student Succeeds Act:

The 2015 legislation that replaced No Child Left Behind, providing states with more flexibility in education policy while maintaining a focus on equity and student outcomes.