Unlocking the Key to School Improvement Success under ESSA

Chelsea Straus discusses why the Every Student Succeeds Act gives districts a new opportunity to turn around the lowest-performing schools.

During the recent signing of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), President Barack Obama remarked that the new education law “focuses on a national goal of ensuring that all of our students graduate prepared for college and future careers.” To help meet this goal, ESSA requires that states and districts take action in their lowest-performing schools to dramatically improve student outcomes.

While No Child Left Behind (NCLB) prescribed specific actions for every struggling school, ESSA gives district leaders significant flexibility in selecting school improvement strategies. However, the law does require that district leaders implement “evidence-based” practices in these schools.

The above excerpt was originally published in The School Superintendents Association. Click here to view the full article.

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