Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
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| Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 |
| Acronym | ESSA |
| Enacted by | 114th United States Congress |
| Signed by | Barack Obama |
| Date signed | 2015-12-10 |
| Effective | 2017-2018 school year |
| Preceded by | No Child Left Behind Act |
| Status | In force |
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 replaced the No Child Left Behind Act as the primary federal statute governing K–12 public schools in the United States. It was negotiated among stakeholders including the United States Department of Education, members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, and advocacy organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. The law rebalanced authority between the Federal Government of the United States and state education agencies like the California Department of Education and the New York State Education Department.
Background and Legislative History
Congressional debate over federal role in schooling intensified after passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and reauthorization under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The No Child Left Behind Act (2001) generated disputes involving Arne Duncan, state chiefs such as Kasha Holland and Chris Cerf, and governors including Jerry Brown and Mike Pence. In the 112th and 113th United States Congress, bipartisan commissions and hearings featured testimony from groups like the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The 114th United States Congress drafted bipartisan text led by Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray, resulting in passage of the law and enactment by President Barack Obama against a backdrop of advocacy from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Business Roundtable.
Key Provisions
The statute amended titles of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to redefine federal support for schools, reallocating funding streams including Title I and provisions affecting Individuals with Disabilities Education Act coordination. It emphasized state-developed accountability systems, interventions for low-performing schools, and evidence-based interventions promoted by groups like the Institute of Education Sciences and the What Works Clearinghouse. The law preserved annual assessment requirements while allowing states such as Texas Education Agency and Florida Department of Education flexibility in setting long-term goals. It expanded programs for English learners and rural schools, aligning with agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture for school nutrition and the Office for Civil Rights for nondiscrimination enforcement.
Accountability and Assessment Systems
ESSA required annual academic assessments in mathematics and reading for grades 3–8 and once in high school, with states designing accountability models that include multiple indicators such as chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and student growth measures. State plans submitted to the U.S. Department of Education underwent review similar to processes used by the Federal Communications Commission in other sectors. The statute prompted technical assistance from institutions like the RAND Corporation, University of Michigan, and Columbia University's Teachers College, and influenced data practices in state longitudinal data systems exemplified by Idaho Education Network and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Federal-State Roles and Funding
ESSA retained federal funding via Title I and Title II grants while devolving substantial authority to state education agencies such as the Ohio Department of Education and local education agencies like the Chicago Public Schools. The law modified formula grants and competitive grants, affecting stakeholders including the Head Start program and the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly. Fiscal implications were debated by the Congressional Budget Office and budget committees in the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Implementation and Impact
Implementation varied across states and districts, with diverse approaches in Los Angeles Unified School District, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Atlanta Public Schools. Early analyses by the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and researchers at Harvard University evaluated effects on equity, interventions, and assessment practices. Some states used ESSA flexibility to adopt new accountability indicators; others faced delays tied to political transitions in governors' offices like that of Andrew Cuomo and Rick Scott. The law influenced charter oversight in entities such as the KIPP Foundation and reshaped federal-state partnerships involving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and regional education labs funded by the Institute of Education Sciences.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
Critics included civil rights organizations such as the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and advocacy groups like the AFT and NEA, who argued about adequacy of accountability for subgroup performance. Legal challenges questioned state plan approvals and compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protections, with commentary from scholars at Georgetown University and University of California, Berkeley. Debates persisted around assessment opt-outs in states like New York (state) and New Jersey, as well as litigation concerning Title I allocations heard in federal courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.