Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Definition

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a federal law enacted in 2015 aimed at ensuring equity in education by holding schools accountable for student performance and closing achievement gaps. ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and shifted more control to states and local districts, empowering them to create their own accountability systems while still requiring annual testing for students in grades 3-8 and once in high school. This legislation emphasizes the importance of early childhood education as a foundation for lifelong learning and aims to support educational leaders and advocates in providing quality education for all children.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ESSA requires states to create their own accountability plans, which must include student achievement metrics and measures of school quality beyond test scores.
2. The law emphasizes the significance of early childhood education programs, recognizing that early learning is crucial for later academic success.
3. Under ESSA, states have greater flexibility to use innovative approaches to improve low-performing schools and support struggling students.
4. The act encourages stakeholder engagement, requiring states to involve parents, educators, and community members in the development of accountability systems.
5. ESSA includes provisions to support mental health services and foster social-emotional learning within schools, addressing the holistic needs of students.

Review Questions

• How does the Every Student Succeeds Act empower states and local districts in developing their educational accountability systems?
  • The Every Student Succeeds Act empowers states and local districts by allowing them to create their own accountability systems tailored to their unique needs while still adhering to federal guidelines. This shift from a one-size-fits-all approach enables local stakeholders to determine what measures are most effective for their student populations. States can include various indicators of school quality, not just test scores, thereby promoting a more comprehensive view of student achievement.
• In what ways does ESSA address the issue of educational equity for underserved populations?
  • ESSA addresses educational equity by mandating that states develop accountability systems that specifically target achievement gaps among underserved populations, including low-income students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. The act requires regular reporting on the progress of these groups, ensuring that schools are held accountable for their academic performance. Additionally, Title I provisions provide federal funding aimed at improving educational opportunities for schools serving high percentages of disadvantaged students.
• Evaluate the impact of ESSA on early childhood education initiatives and how it shapes future educational policy.
  • The Every Student Succeeds Act significantly impacts early childhood education initiatives by emphasizing its importance as a critical foundation for lifelong learning. By integrating early education considerations into the larger framework of K-12 accountability, ESSA encourages states to invest in quality pre-K programs and supports early intervention strategies. This focus on early childhood lays the groundwork for future educational policy that prioritizes comprehensive approaches to child development and learning from a young age, promoting better outcomes for all students as they progress through their education.

Related terms

Accountability: A system that holds schools and districts responsible for student performance, ensuring that they meet specific educational standards.

Equity in Education: The principle of fairness in education, ensuring that all students have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed.

Title I: A provision under ESSA that provides federal funding to schools with high numbers of low-income students, aimed at improving educational outcomes.