1. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Q & A
Cori A. Cotner
PAIU Curriculum Coordinators
March 23, 2017

2. Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
“From our very beginnings as a nation, we have felt a fierce commitment to the ideal of education for everyone… By passing this bill, we bridge the gap between helplessness and hope for more than five million educationally deprived children.”
- President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965

3. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
“With this bill, we reaffirm that fundamental American ideal that every child, regardless of race, income, background, the zip code where they live, deserves the chance to make out of their lives what they will.”
- President Barack Obama, 2015

4. What is ESSA?
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA)
1965
The No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB)
2002
The Every Student Succeeds Act
(ESSA)
2015
The goal: to promote equal educational opportunity for traditionally underserved children.
Substantial federal funding to states and schools to promote equal opportunities.
States are required to submit plans.

5. What’s Happened So Far since the election. . .
Last November, USDE released FINAL regulations on accountability and state plans
Congress poised to revoke under Congressional Review Act
Secretary DeVos confirmed state plan submission dates on April 3 or Sept. 18 and
Promised new state plan template by March 13

6. What happens if the Nov. 28 regs are revoked?
If revoked pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, USDE may NOT issue regulations that are “substantially the same” as the revoked rules.
States are still required to submit plans in compliance with the provisions of the ESSA statute and other existing regulations and guidance
Statute vs regulations . . .

7. Questions from the Group
What does it mean to be “appropriately certified” in light of the previous “highly qualified status”?
ESSA does allow flexibility in “highly qualified status” and changes that language to appropriately certified.
Appropriately certified means that the person is teaching what is on their certificate – no HQT.
For example: The 7-12 Math teacher is teaching Math is grades The special education PreK-8 teacher is teaching special education students who are in grades PreK through 8th grade.

8. Questions from the Group
With the new template released on March 13, it appears that states do not need to explain why they choose a minimum subgroup number of 30. If states are allowed to do this, does PA anticipate raising the minimum subgroup number?
PA is exploring several different options as it relates to the N-count.
Investigating impact of raising N-count
Title III

9. What do HJ Resolution 57 and HJ Resolution 58 mean for PA?
Questions from PAIUCC
What do HJ Resolution 57 and HJ Resolution 58 mean for PA?
HJ Resolution 57 refers to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and the disapproval of the rule submitted by USDoE relating to accountability and state plans under ESSA.
HJ Resolution 58 refers to the CRA and the disapproval of the rule submitted by USDoE relating to teacher preparation issues.
Notwithstanding the revocation of the regulations, we anticipate this will have minimal impact on the ongoing development of Pennsylvania’s plan and we are “full steam ahead” on the good work we are doing.
We will continue to use the terms of the ESSA statute as guidance.

10. Questions from PAIUCC
How does PDE plan to address the Assessment Workgroup’s recommendation to do a multiple-choice only test? Are they going to look to the legislature to revise/update Chapter 4?
Plan is to adhere to the recommendation and shorten the testing time. AS

11. Questions
How will IB be used for Future Ready PA Index? Scoring doesn’t happen until after the year is over, so what will that look like for graduation?
While we haven’t finalized the metrics for any index calculation, IB will definitely be part of the College and Career indicators; because of when the test is scored, it may be a lagging indicator (may factor into the equation a year after it is given).

12. Questions from PAIUCC
HB 202 related to Keystones – this only addresses CTE students. Will that impact the ESSA application?
HB 202 deals only with CTE student graduation requirements and as such recognizes only one of the four options proposed by PDE in its report to the General Assembly last August pursuant to the provisions of SB 880/Act 1 of 2016.
PDE hopes that the General Assembly will NOT enact HB 202 without full consideration of the other options proposed in the August report.
A change in graduation requirements through either HB 202, pursuant to PDE’s report or otherwise is not directly relevant to our state plan under ESSA except to the extent that such changes would affect graduation rates which is a specific
indicator for accountability.

13. EdWeek Blog Other Items…
This article outlines some of the changes in the current administration’s perspective of ESSA. It cites the biggest differences between the Obama template and the Trump template –
Outreach – Pennsylvania was recognized last summer by USDE and CCSSO for our commitment to robust Stakeholder Engagement. Notwithstanding the new administration’s change in emphasis on stakeholder engagement in the new template, PA will continue our robust outreach.
School Improvement – No real change in PA’s plans. Funds will be distributed via formula or competitive grants.
Requirements from “tossed regs” – Explanation for why a state may choose a minimum subgroup size above 30. This will not change the current direction for PA – exploration of impact of various N count sizes will continue.
Length and organization – PA will continue to work with CCSSO and other states to present a comprehensive plan that addresses ESSA and its intent.

14. PDE’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) page
Mission Statement
PDE’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) page
ESSA vs. NCLB crosswalk document
AIR report on workgroup recommendations
PDE presentations on ESSA
English; Spanish
Future Ready PA Index
How to contact PDE with questions or comments:
facebook.com/PADepartmentofEducation
twitter.com/PADeptofEd
pinterest.com/PADeptOfEd
youtube.com/c/PADeptofEd

15. Mission Statement The mission of the department is
to ensure that every learner has access to a world-class education system that academically prepares children and adults to succeed as productive citizens.
Further, the department seeks to establish a culture that is committed to improving opportunities throughout the commonwealth by ensuring that technical support, resources and optimal learning environments are available for students,
whether children or adults.