Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

ESSA: OUR VOICE MATTERS IN CA

The Opportunity

With the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), each of us has an opportunity to shape California’s education policy. ESSA updates the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the main federal K-12 education law that aims to equalize opportunity for all students, and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

We all have a responsibility to share how our community can strengthen education. Your voice matters!

What You Need to Know

Every state is required to submit a plan for how it will comply with the new education law. ESSA sets out broad requirements for every public school system to:

• Set high expectations for all students;
• Provide the resources needed for all students to meet those expectations;
• Measure and report progress toward those expectations; and
• Act when any school — or group of students — falls behind.

ESSA requires input from stakeholders, including parents, educators, community leaders & the business community. Now through September 2017, we have an opportunity to advance equity and directly impact the policies guiding the education our children receive in San Bernardino, and throughout California.

Advocacy Priorities

As the California Department of Education plans for and implements ESSA, it’s vital that we advocate so that equity stays at the heart of the new law. Our priorities are to:

Urge CA State Board of Education to extend the input period so that parents and community stakeholders have meaningful ways to share their input;

Ensure that targeted instructional and student supports are priorities for low performing subgroups (English Learner, African American, students with disabilities, etc.)

Ensure that transparency around school funding and the use of funding are geared toward innovative strategies that are equity-minded.

Advocate for accountability for effective teaching and instructional practices.

ESSA: The California Way

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 10, 2015, and goes into full effect in the 2017–18 school year. The ESSA reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the nation’s federal education law, and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act.

What You Need to Know

As part of California’s transition to ESSA, California must submit an ESSA State Plan to the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The State Plan will describe the State’s implementation of standards, assessment, accountability, and assistance programs and will move us toward California’s goal of having a single, coherent local, state, and federal education system.

We encourage you to use the resources below to stay informed and engaged throughout the plan development process.

CDE ESSA Web Page

http://www.cde.ca.gov/essa

This page provides links to the ED, correspondence from the ED, and correspondence from the CDE to local educational agencies.

CDE ESSA Listserv

To receive notifications when new ESSA-related information becomes available, including opportunities to participate in the development of the California ESSA State Plan, please send a blank e-mail message to join-essa@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

California Practitioners Advisory Group Web page

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/cp/

Information about the State Board of Education’s California Practitioners Advisory Group (CPAG), which provides input regarding local, state, and federal accountability and also serves as the Title I Committee of Practitioners. This will be a useful resource for tracking discussions and decisions related to the emerging accountability system. To receive notifications regarding CPAG meetings and materials, please send a blank e-mail message to join-cpag@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Please contact the CDE ESSA Office by e-mail at ESSA@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-319-0843.