What is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a critical piece of federal legislation that governs elementary and secondary education in the United States. Signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 10, 2015, it replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and aimed to provide greater flexibility to states in shaping their educational programs while still holding schools accountable for student performance. In essence, ESSA seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality education that prepares them for college and careers.

Historical Context

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

To understand ESSA, it is essential to look back at its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Enacted in 2002 under President George W. Bush, NCLB aimed to close achievement gaps between different student populations by introducing standardized testing and accountability measures for schools. It was based on the principle that schools should be held accountable for ensuring that all students meet academic standards, especially disadvantaged groups, such as students from low-income families, students of color, and those with disabilities.

NCLB brought attention to educational inequities but was criticized for its over-reliance on standardized testing, leading to unintended consequences like "teaching to the test" and excessive stress on both students and teachers. It also imposed strict consequences for schools that failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals, which many considered unrealistic.

The Need for Reform

By the mid-2010s, there was widespread consensus that NCLB’s rigid requirements were not serving schools or students well. Many schools were labeled as failing, and the federal government had significant control over education policy, leaving little room for state and local innovation. ESSA was developed to address these issues by providing states with more autonomy while still maintaining federal oversight to ensure accountability.

Key Components of ESSA

Accountability

One of the most significant aspects of ESSA is its revised approach to accountability. While NCLB set strict federal guidelines for evaluating school performance, ESSA gives states more flexibility in designing their own accountability systems. Each state must submit an accountability plan to the U.S. Department of Education, but the criteria for school performance can vary based on local needs and goals.

Indicators of School Performance

States are required to include certain indicators in their accountability systems, which are broken into two categories:

1. Academic Indicators: These include standardized test scores, graduation rates, and progress in English language proficiency for English learners. These factors must weigh more heavily in a state's evaluation of schools.
2. School Quality or Student Success Indicators: These are broader measures of school effectiveness, such as student engagement, access to advanced coursework, school climate, or postsecondary readiness. States have the flexibility to choose these indicators based on their priorities.

This more holistic approach aims to move away from an overemphasis on test scores and allow states to focus on broader aspects of school quality.

State and Local Control

A core principle of ESSA is that it returns significant control to states and local educational agencies (LEAs). States have the power to set their own educational standards, as long as they align with federal requirements for preparing students for college or careers. Additionally, while ESSA mandates standardized testing in certain subjects and grade levels, states have more leeway in how these tests are designed and administered.

In contrast to NCLB, ESSA does not require states to use specific interventions for low-performing schools. Instead, states can develop tailored support systems for struggling schools and districts. This allows for more innovation and experimentation in education reform, as states can implement strategies that are suited to their unique contexts.

Testing Requirements

Like NCLB, ESSA mandates standardized testing in math and reading/language arts for students in grades 3-8 and once in high school. It also requires science assessments at least once in grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. However, ESSA provides greater flexibility in how these tests are used and encourages the use of multiple measures of student success beyond just test scores.

States can develop their own testing systems, and schools may be able to experiment with performance-based assessments or other innovative methods. Additionally, ESSA introduced the “Innovative Assessment Pilot,” which allows up to seven states to develop and implement alternative assessment systems that could eventually replace traditional standardized tests.

Teacher Qualifications and Development

ESSA shifts away from the highly qualified teacher (HQT) requirements of NCLB, which mandated that teachers hold a bachelor’s degree in their subject area and demonstrate content knowledge through testing or other means. Instead, ESSA focuses on ensuring that teachers are “effective” by providing states with the flexibility to define what teacher effectiveness means.

ESSA also emphasizes professional development for teachers and school leaders. States are encouraged to invest in high-quality professional learning opportunities and to develop systems that support teacher growth, particularly in high-need schools.

Support for Low-Performing Schools

ESSA requires states to identify and intervene in the lowest-performing 5% of schools, as well as in schools with graduation rates below 67%. However, unlike NCLB’s prescriptive approach, ESSA allows states to determine what interventions are appropriate. This might involve offering targeted support to improve school leadership, teacher quality, or student engagement, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model.

States must also identify schools where specific subgroups of students, such as English language learners or students with disabilities, are consistently underperforming. These schools must receive additional support and resources to help improve outcomes for those student populations.

Parent and Community Involvement

ESSA places a strong emphasis on engaging parents and communities in the educational process. States and districts are required to involve stakeholders in the development of their accountability plans and to provide clear, transparent information about school performance. This includes publishing school report cards that detail not only academic results but also other indicators of school quality, such as attendance and disciplinary data.

By involving parents and the community in decision-making processes, ESSA seeks to foster greater collaboration between schools and families and ensure that educational policies reflect the needs and values of local communities.

Equity and Access

Focus on Disadvantaged Students

A fundamental goal of ESSA is to close achievement gaps and ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students. The law maintains many of NCLB’s provisions designed to support disadvantaged students, including Title I funding for schools with high concentrations of low-income students. Title I funds are intended to provide additional resources to help schools serve students who are at risk of falling behind academically.

ESSA also continues to emphasize the importance of supporting English language learners, students with disabilities, and students from historically marginalized communities. States must include progress in English language proficiency as part of their accountability systems, and schools must provide targeted support to help these students succeed.

School Choice and Charter Schools

ESSA includes provisions that support the expansion of charter schools and school choice initiatives. The law provides funding for the development and replication of high-quality charter schools and encourages states to offer parents more options when their local schools are underperforming. However, charter schools must meet the same accountability standards as traditional public schools and must demonstrate that they are serving all students equitably.

The Bottom Line

The Every Student Succeeds Act represents a significant shift in U.S. education policy. By balancing federal oversight with increased state and local control, it aims to address the shortcomings of the No Child Left Behind Act while maintaining a focus on accountability and equity. ESSA gives states more flexibility to design their own educational systems while ensuring that disadvantaged students receive the support they need to succeed. Although challenges remain, particularly in closing achievement gaps, ESSA’s emphasis on local innovation, parent involvement, and multiple measures of school performance marks a step toward a more holistic approach to education reform in the United States.