1. The Every Student Succeeds Act Allison Orton NEA Organizational Specialist

2. What is ESSA?
On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into federal law.
This law is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (formerly known as NCLB).
ESSA returns decision making for our nation’s education back where it belongs – in the hands of local educators, parents, and communities.

3. Major Changes Reflected in ESSA
Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) has been removed from ESSA.
Labeling schools as “failing” or other derogatory titles used by the Federal Government have been eliminated.
Interventions which lack research-backed evidence of effectiveness and are rigid in nature have been eliminated.
The “Race to the Top” initiative has been eliminated.
No longer will accountability measures be based solely upon standardized testing.

4. Educator Evaluation
A major piece of ESSA is bringing decision making and control to the state level.
No longer required to set up teacher evaluation systems based in “significant” part of student test scores.

5. Student Assessment
State-level testing of students in the areas of reading and math will occur in grades 3-8 and once in high school.
ESSA retains the required 95% benchmark for participation in state-level testing.
Testing results and data will be better segmented at the school level to provide teachers with rich data to guide instruction.

6. Educator Quality
The descriptor “highly qualified” at the federal level is now a thing of the past. It is now being called “appropriately certified” at the state level.
ESSA provides a research-based definition of professional development constructed by teachers.

7. School Improvement
States will have to create a system to identify two types of schools:
Subgroup schools – identify schools that have consistently underperforming subgroups
Lowest performing schools – identify bottom 5% of Title I schools, add high schools with lower than 67% grad rates and lowest subgroup schools
Must do a resource equity plan, district develops improvement plan
Improve within 4 years or state needs to do more

8. What’s Different About Accountability?
Accountability systems at state level cannot be based
solely on standardized tests!
Systems must include:
Math, reading assessments
Graduation rates
Another statewide indicator for middle and elementary schools
English Language Proficiency
At least one indicator of student and school supports (*from
our Opportunity Dashboard!)
*95% participation rate*

9. School District ESSA Plans
All districts across the country and required to create an ESSA plan that will be implemented beginning in the school year.
Promote equity through a new accountability system with an Opportunity Dashboard as its centerpiece
Decouple high-stakes testing and accountability; promote less testing to give students more time to learn

10. Opportunity Audit What is it?
nea.org/gpsindicators

11. ESSA Implementation = Opportunity
After nearly 14 years of asking for less federal intrusion into the teaching and learning process, it is finally here!
Opportunity for educators to drive teaching and learning decisions
Opportunity to strengthen partnerships with parents, communities, to advocate for what students really need
Prepare to stand up to defeat bad ideas we’ve seen at the federal and state levels!

13. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity!
Let’s join with parents and communities to create the schools our students deserve…
More opportunities for a well-rounded education
Less time testing
More supports for students and schools who need help
Educators and communities driving decisions, not politicians

14. The Every Student Succeeds Act
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS! FIND OUT MORE: Like our Facebook Page ESSA Parent Survey
Arizona’s ESSA Second Draft Plan
Submit Your Comments by December 8th
State Second Draft Plan Webinar
Allison Orton
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