Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Definition

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a U.S. law enacted in December 2015 that governs K-12 public education policy, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA aims to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education and specifically addresses achievement gaps and opportunity disparities among different student groups, promoting equitable access to educational resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ESSA shifted much of the authority for school accountability and improvement from the federal government to the states, allowing for more localized decision-making.
2. The law emphasizes the importance of supporting disadvantaged students, including those from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English language learners.
3. Under ESSA, states are required to develop their own academic standards and assessments, which must be aligned with college and career readiness expectations.
4. The act encourages stakeholder engagement by requiring states to involve educators, parents, and community members in the development of accountability plans.
5. ESSA maintains some federal oversight but provides flexibility for states to implement their own strategies for improving student outcomes and addressing inequities.

Review Questions

• How does the Every Student Succeeds Act address achievement gaps among different student groups?
  • ESSA specifically targets achievement gaps by requiring states to identify schools with significant disparities in student performance. The law mandates that these schools create improvement plans to address the needs of underperforming groups such as low-income students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. By focusing on these populations, ESSA aims to provide tailored support and resources that help bridge the educational divide.
• Discuss the role of Title I funding within the framework of the Every Student Succeeds Act and its impact on schools serving disadvantaged populations.
  • Title I funding plays a critical role under ESSA by providing additional financial resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students. This funding is intended to help ensure that these schools can offer quality educational programs and interventions tailored to their students' needs. By supporting programs aimed at enhancing instructional quality and student support services, Title I funding seeks to mitigate the effects of poverty on educational achievement and help close opportunity disparities.
• Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Every Student Succeeds Act in promoting equity within K-12 education and suggest potential improvements.
  • While ESSA has made strides in promoting equity by giving states greater flexibility in addressing local needs, its effectiveness varies widely depending on state implementation and commitment. Some states have successfully developed comprehensive accountability systems that target achievement gaps, while others struggle with inadequate resources or lack of clear strategies. To enhance its effectiveness, ESSA could incorporate stronger federal guidelines on equity measures, establish clearer benchmarks for success, and increase funding for training educators in culturally responsive teaching practices.

Related terms

No Child Left Behind Act:

A federal law enacted in 2001 aimed at improving student achievement through standardized testing and accountability measures.

Title I Funding:

Federal funding allocated to schools with high percentages of low-income students, intended to help close achievement gaps.

Accountability Systems:

Frameworks established under ESSA that require states to create plans for assessing school performance and ensuring all students meet academic standards.