Every Student Succeeds Act

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The Every Student Succeeds Act: An ESSA Overview
2015's Every Student Succeeds Act rolls back much of the federal government's big footprint in education policy.

Featured Special Reports

Special Report Inside the Every Student Succeeds Act
This special report on ESSA looks at what the law will mean for virtually every aspect of public schooling when it takes full effect in the 2017-18 academic year.
March 9, 2016
Students Cindy Chen, left, and Rendy Zhong practice reading in a classroom at Southside Elementary School, in Columbus, Ind. The school is part of a district that practices universal design for learning, an instructional framework that seeks to open up multiple routes to learning. It can touch on everything from teaching and assessment strategies to classroom design and the outline of the school day.
Students Cindy Chen, left, and Rendy Zhong practice reading in a classroom at Southside Elementary School, in Columbus, Ind. The school is part of a district that practices universal design for learning, an instructional framework that seeks to open up multiple routes to learning. It can touch on everything from teaching and assessment strategies to classroom design and the outline of the school day.
Clay Lomneth for Education Week
Special Report NCLB
The Education Week Research Center's annual progress report on the states' implementation of the federal law which has become implanted in the culture of America’s public education system.
December 13, 2006
President George W. Bush, seated, signs into law a sweeping federal education bill, No Child Left Behind, at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, on Jan. 8, 2002.
President George W. Bush, seated, signs into law a sweeping federal education bill, No Child Left Behind, at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, on Jan. 8, 2002.
Ron Edmonds/AP
  • The Latest

    Dan Gordon
    Dan Gordon
    Every Student Succeeds Act Q&A Q&A: Making the Most of 'Continuous Improvement' in State ESSA Plans
    Policy expert Dan Gordon talks with Education Week about how a continuous improvement approach can help states support low-performing schools, improve achievement across the board, and bolster the work of their own education agencies.
    Alyson Klein, June 27, 2018
    5 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act Tailored Approaches: How State ESSA Plans Address 'Continuous Improvement'
    Although the term isn’t specified in the Every Student Succeeds Act itself, some state plans for ESSA are embracing some form of “continuous improvement.”
    Alyson Klein, June 22, 2018
    1 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act Innovation Grants Yield Some Clear Winners, Lessons to Learn
    Nine of 67 programs funded under the federal i3 program produced breakout interventions, says a final evaluation of the educational R&D effort.
    Sarah D. Sparks, June 19, 2018
    5 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act States Are Failing to 'Put Students' Civil Rights First' in ESSA Plans, Advocates Say
    States are flouting the Every Student Succeeds Act's protections for vulnerable groups of children, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos letting them, civil groups said at an event in Washington.
    Alyson Klein, June 19, 2018
    4 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act How Do Districts Plan to Use Their ESSA Block Grant Money?
    A survey by three education groups found that STEM, positive behavioral supports, and professional development are popular choices for how districts plan to spend a chunk of flexible Every Student Succeeds Act funding.
    Andrew Ujifusa, June 17, 2018
    2 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act Advocates Worried About Special Ed. Testing Waivers Under ESSA
    Nearly half of the states have been given wiggle room in complying with a provision reserving alternative tests for students with the most-severe cognitive disabilities.
    Alyson Klein, June 13, 2018
    6 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act When States and the Feds Take Different Paths on School Accountability
    Schools may end up with separate state and federal rankings in states that have yet to harmonize their own priorities with the Every Student Succeeds Act.
    Daarel Burnette II, June 12, 2018
    7 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act Report Roundup Research Report: English-Language Learners
    With federal education laws—first the No Child Left Behind Act and now the Every Student Succeeds Act—requiring schools and states to publish more data on English-learners, a new report from the Migration Policy Institute explores how districts can best use the new information.
    Corey Mitchell, June 12, 2018
    1 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act Video How Does ESSA Impact Education Product and Service Providers?
    The Every Student Succeeds Act gives states and districts more flexibility when it comes to school improvement, but they must back it up with evidence. What does that mean for those who are not necessarily practitioners, but are providing a role in support services and products? Sean Cavanagh, senior editor of EdWeek Market Brief, talks about the questions surrounding the business and private sector opportunities that ESSA offers as states, districts, and schools seek to benefit from the new law’s flexibility. This video was filmed following Education Week’s virtual summit on ESSA, where online participants submitted their questions about the upcoming implementation of the new federal law.
    June 12, 2018
    5:26
    Every Student Succeeds Act Video The Future of Teacher Effectiveness and PD Under ESSA
    Unlike No Child Left Behind, the Every Student Succeeds Act does not require states to have “highly qualified teachers.” Instead, ESSA asks for states to define “ineffective teachers.” And states have the freedom to determine what that means. How are states planning to go about doing that? Teacher policy reporter Madeline Will examines key questions around professional development, preservice programs, and how the new federal law will impact the teacher force. This video was filmed following Education Week’s virtual summit on ESSA, where online participants submitted their questions about the upcoming implementation of the new federal law.
    June 12, 2018
    5:26
    Every Student Succeeds Act Video Under ESSA, Who’s in Charge of Education Policy?
    The Every Student Succeeds Act reshapes the relationship between the federal government and states when it comes to education policy. But as we move into the implementation phase of this new federal law, state superintendents, boards, governors, and legislators are all jockeying over who gets to wield the new policy flexibility ESSA offers—who will be making the key decisions on where and how money should be spent? State policy reporter Daarel Burnette II discusses what lies ahead at the state level. This video was filmed following Education Week’s virtual summit on ESSA, where online participants submitted their questions about the upcoming implementation of the new federal law.
    June 12, 2018
    5:26
    Every Student Succeeds Act Video Minorities, English-Learners, and Special Education—Who’s Keeping Watch Under ESSA?
    The Every Student Succeeds Act has been called a civil rights law at base, setting tough standards for states in measuring and boosting the performance of historically disenfranchised groups of students. But civil rights advocates worry about compliance and oversight in an era of new flexibility. Federal policy reporter Andrew Ujifusa discusses these concerns. This video was filmed following Education Week’s virtual summit on ESSA, where online participants submitted their questions about the upcoming implementation of the new federal law.
    June 12, 2018
    5:11
    Every Student Succeeds Act Video How Prepared Are Schools and Districts for ESSA?
    Schools and districts are gearing up for the Every Student Succeeds Act’s implementation as the new federal law makes its debut this fall. But the U.S. Education Department hasn’t released much guidance yet, leaving many questions unanswered. States and the federal government are still figuring out the balance on issues like school accountability, federal oversight, civil rights, and using data to turn around low-performing schools. Lead federal policy reporter Alyson Klein weighs in. This video was filmed following Education Week’s virtual summit on ESSA, where online participants submitted their questions about the upcoming implementation of the new federal law.
    June 12, 2018
    5:36
    Every Student Succeeds Act Can Districts Use ESSA Funds to Buy Crossing Guard Signs?
    If districts want to purchase crossing guard signs with money from the Every Student Succeeds Act, their best bet is using money from the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, aka Title IV Part A of ESSA.
    Alyson Klein, June 11, 2018
    2 min read
    Every Student Succeeds Act What's in ESSA's Big Flexible-Spending Pot
    The $1.1 billion Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, better known as Title IV, can be used for everything from school safety training and suicide prevention to drama clubs and science programs.
    Alyson Klein, June 5, 2018
    6 min read