Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

A New Education Law: The Every Student Succeeds Act

On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law, marking a positive shift for schools across the United States. This bipartisan law reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which has served as the foundation of national education policy for over 50 years, emphasizing equal opportunities for every student.

The previous iteration, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, was introduced in 2002. While NCLB made significant strides in focusing attention on student progress and areas requiring additional support—regardless of race, income, disability, or background—it eventually faced challenges. The law's rigid requirements became increasingly difficult to manage as time went on. In response, the Obama administration, recognizing these challenges, partnered with educators and families to develop a new law that would better serve the goal of preparing all students for success in both college and their future careers.

ESSA Highlights

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes important provisions designed to ensure success for students and schools. Below are some of the key aspects of the law:

1. Advances Equity: ESSA upholds critical protections for disadvantaged and high-need students, ensuring they have access to equal educational opportunities.
   
   
2. High Academic Standards for All: For the first time, ESSA mandates that all students in America be taught to high academic standards, preparing them for success in college and careers.
   
   
3. Annual Statewide Assessments: The law ensures that vital information about student progress is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual assessments, which measure how students are advancing toward these high standards.
   
   
4. Support for Local Innovations: ESSA encourages and supports local innovations, including evidence-based and place-based interventions developed by local educators and leaders, to improve education at the community level.
   
   
5. Expansion of Preschool Access: The law sustains and expands the administration’s historic investments in increasing access to high-quality preschool education.
   
   
6. Accountability for Low-Performing Schools: ESSA maintains expectations for accountability, requiring action to improve the lowest-performing schools, where groups of students are struggling, and graduation rates have remained low over extended periods.

History of ESEA

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who championed the idea that "full educational opportunity" should be "our first national goal." From the start, ESEA was seen as a landmark civil rights law.

ESEA introduced new grants for school districts serving low-income students, provided federal funding for textbooks and library books, and supported special education centers. The law also allocated scholarships for low-income college students and granted federal funding to state educational agencies to help improve the quality of elementary and secondary education across the country.

NCLB and Accountability

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act introduced measures that highlighted achievement gaps between traditionally underserved students and their peers, sparking a crucial national conversation about improving education. While the emphasis on accountability played a vital role in ensuring a quality education for all children, it also exposed challenges in effectively implementing this goal.

Recognizing the need for a stronger, updated law, parents, educators, and elected officials across the country called for reforms to expand opportunities for all students, support schools, teachers, and principals, and strengthen the education system as a whole.

In 2012, the Obama administration began offering states greater flexibility with specific NCLB requirements. In return, states were asked to develop rigorous and comprehensive plans aimed at closing achievement gaps, promoting equity, improving instructional quality, and boosting outcomes for all students.

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