The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a federal legislation passed by the United States Congress in 2015. It is a comprehensive education law that replaced the previous No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. ESSA is designed to promote equity, accountability, and excellence in education for all students.
ESSA provides a framework for states to develop their own educational policies and set goals that meet the unique needs of their students. It requires states to develop plans that incorporate academic standards, assessment systems, and school accountability measures. The law emphasizes the importance of high-quality instruction, supporting the needs of disadvantaged students, and enhancing the effectiveness of educators.
Under ESSA, states have more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems, allowing them to focus on more holistic measures of school success rather than relying solely on standardized testing. It encourages states to intervene in the lowest-performing schools and offers additional support to schools that serve a large number of low-income students.
ESSA also emphasizes the importance of family engagement in education and provides guidelines for involving parents in the decision-making process at the school and district levels. The law also promotes the use of evidence-based practices and encourages the integration of technology in instruction.
Overall, ESSA aims to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By shifting the focus from federal mandates to state and local control, ESSA seeks to empower states and districts to develop innovative strategies to meet the needs of their students and improve overall educational quality.
