The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the latest re-authorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was approved by the U.S. Congress in December 2015. This law provides significant federal support for programs to serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Overview/Highlights:

•     Limits the power of the federal government to set education policy for states
•     Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions, and student supports
•     Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
•     Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
•     Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school