ASCD Statement on Every Student Succeeds Act Passage

Alexandria, VA (12/9/2015)—ASCD has released the following statement from Executive Director and CEO Deb S. Delisle on the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act:

ASCD applauds the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as a laudable bipartisan effort to rewrite the nation’s preeminent federal education law. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray and Representatives John Kline and Bobby Scott in crafting a compromise that achieves an appropriate balance between federal and state authority for education.

ASCD has long promoted a whole child approach to education, and we are pleased that Congress has recognized the value of this approach by broadening the range of indicators states are required to use to measure student achievement and school quality. The bill provides states and districts with greater flexibility while still preserving a national focus on closing the achievement gap and ensuring that additional services and supports are provided to the students and schools most in need. It will be essential for state leaders to work with local stakeholder groups to define student success and to then design comprehensive and thoughtful accountability systems to help meet that goal.

As with any good compromise, the bill is not perfect. We have reservations about the option to transfer unlimited amounts of professional development funds out of Title II. We are also disappointed in the authorized funding levels for Title I, which are less than those specified in the No Child Left Behind Act and appear to be based not on what students need to succeed but on what appropriators are willing to provide.

Nevertheless, we appreciate the significance of replacing the No Child Left Behind Act with an updated law, especially one that that enjoys such widespread support. We look forward to continuing our work with educators across the nation and throughout the world to implement reforms that best support students and educators.

To receive more information about ASCD’s resources or public policy priorities, or to speak with any ASCD leaders or experts, please contact Ross Romano, ASCD publicist, at 1-703-575-5607 or ross.romano@ascd.org.