ESSA

Definition

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a key federal education law enacted in 2015 that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, aiming to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students. ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and shifted the responsibility of educational accountability from the federal government to the states, giving them more flexibility in how they meet educational standards while still requiring them to address achievement gaps and support struggling schools.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ESSA allows states to develop their own accountability systems tailored to their unique needs while maintaining a focus on student outcomes.
2. Under ESSA, states are required to report on multiple measures of school performance, including academic achievement, graduation rates, and progress for English language learners.
3. The law emphasizes support for underserved populations, including low-income students, students with disabilities, and English language learners.
4. ESSA also encourages states to use evidence-based interventions and practices in their schools to improve student performance.
5. Funding under ESSA includes provisions for professional development for teachers and initiatives to improve school climate and student engagement.

Review Questions

• How does ESSA differ from its predecessor, No Child Left Behind, in terms of state accountability?
  • ESSA differs significantly from No Child Left Behind by granting states greater flexibility in designing their accountability systems. While No Child Left Behind imposed strict federal mandates and standardized testing requirements, ESSA allows states to create their own methods for evaluating school performance. This shift recognizes the diverse educational landscapes across the country and encourages states to tailor their approaches to better meet local needs while still addressing achievement gaps.
• What role does Title I funding play under ESSA, and how does it aim to support low-income students?
  • Title I funding under ESSA is critical for supporting schools that serve a high percentage of low-income students. This funding is designed to provide additional resources to these schools so they can improve educational opportunities and outcomes. The focus is on ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education, which includes hiring qualified teachers, implementing effective instructional programs, and providing necessary support services to help students succeed academically.
• Evaluate the impact of ESSA's emphasis on evidence-based practices in improving educational outcomes for diverse student populations.
  • The emphasis on evidence-based practices within ESSA has significant implications for improving educational outcomes for diverse student populations. By requiring states to implement interventions backed by research, ESSA encourages a more systematic approach to education that prioritizes effective strategies. This focus helps ensure that resources are allocated towards methods that have been shown to work, particularly for underserved groups. As a result, this can lead to narrowing achievement gaps and enhancing overall student success across various demographics.

Related terms

Accountability: The system through which schools, districts, and states are held responsible for student performance and outcomes, ensuring that they meet established educational standards.

Standardized Testing: Tests that are administered and scored in a consistent manner, used to measure student achievement and compare performance across different schools or districts.

Title I: A provision of ESSA that provides federal funding to schools with high percentages of low-income students to help ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.