Every Student Succeeds Act

Definition

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a U.S. law enacted in 2015 that governs the federal government's role in K-12 education, aiming to ensure that all students achieve academic success and equity in education. This law replaced the No Child Left Behind Act, allowing more flexibility for states in implementing educational standards and assessments while still emphasizing accountability for student outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ESSA grants states more authority to design their own accountability systems while still holding them responsible for student performance and educational outcomes.
2. The law emphasizes the importance of supporting disadvantaged and underperforming schools to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education.
3. Under ESSA, states must develop plans that address the needs of all students, including those with disabilities, English language learners, and economically disadvantaged students.
4. The act includes provisions for the use of multiple measures to assess student performance rather than relying solely on standardized testing.
5. ESSA encourages greater community and parental involvement in the education process, recognizing the importance of stakeholder input in educational decisions.

Review Questions

• How does the Every Student Succeeds Act differ from its predecessor, No Child Left Behind, in terms of state flexibility and accountability?
  • The Every Student Succeeds Act allows states greater flexibility in designing their own accountability systems compared to No Child Left Behind, which mandated strict federal guidelines. ESSA gives states the power to choose how they measure school performance and improvement while still ensuring accountability for student outcomes. This shift aims to provide a more tailored approach to education that can better address local needs and conditions.
• Discuss the significance of support for disadvantaged schools under ESSA and how it impacts educational equity.
  • Support for disadvantaged schools is a central focus of the Every Student Succeeds Act, as it seeks to address educational inequities faced by students from low-income backgrounds or marginalized communities. By requiring states to implement strategies aimed at improving these schools, ESSA aims to level the playing field for all students. This emphasis on equity ensures that resources are allocated where they are most needed, helping to provide every student with access to a quality education regardless of their socio-economic status.
• Evaluate the implications of using multiple measures for assessing student performance as mandated by ESSA, including potential benefits and challenges.
  • The requirement for using multiple measures to assess student performance under ESSA has significant implications for evaluating educational success. On one hand, this approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of student learning by considering factors beyond standardized test scores, such as classroom participation and project-based assessments. However, challenges may arise in determining which measures are most effective and ensuring consistency across different districts. Balancing these various assessment methods can lead to richer insights into student achievement while also presenting complexities in implementation and standardization.

Related terms

No Child Left Behind:

A previous U.S. education law that aimed to improve student achievement through standardized testing and accountability measures, which was replaced by ESSA.

Accountability:

The requirement for schools and districts to demonstrate student performance and improvement through measurable outcomes, a key component of both ESSA and previous education laws.

State Standards: Educational benchmarks set by each state to outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, which are essential under ESSA for measuring student achievement.