Every Student Succeeds Act.

The “Every Student Succeeds Act” was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015. ESSA is a broad act enacted that affects the entire country as opposed to just the Commonwealth, like the previously explained MERA Act. The predecessor of ESSA was the “No Child Left Behind Act.” Although both NCLB and ESSA are similar, there are also some key differences between the two. According to understood.org, ESSA provides a more flexible student achievement standard framework than NCLB. Overall, ESSA provides more flexibility on a state level, whereas NCLB did not provide as much insight and flexibility for states. Under ESSA, states can use national standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT instead of their own states test. Under ESSA, there is a bigger emphasis placed on Common Core State Standards, where that was not the case under NCLB. Most states within the U.S have adopted Common Core standards. Accountability measures are also different between the two acts. ESSA takes into account student success in reading, and math, along with English proficiency and dropout rates. NCLB measured just reading and math scores. ESSA and NCLB also differed regarding achievement targets, and ESSA did not include penalties for schools that were struggling to meet the requirements. Under ESSA, states have to submit “accountability plans to the Education Department.” States pick their own goals, and have to provide at least 4 indicators of systems of accountability. These can range anywhere from engagement to safety measures. Federally, states have to “identify and intervene” in their states bottom 5% performing schools and or districts. This identification will occur once every 3 years. Under ESSA, all states like Massachusetts are required to create a testing system that tests students every year from grades 3 to 8. In regards to teachers, under ESSA, the Teacher Incentive Fund has now changed to the Teacher and School Leader Innovation Program, which will provide grants regarding teacher quality and improvement measures. (The Every Student Succeeds Act: Explained Education Week 2015)