The Constitution And Essa: Exploring Overlapping Aspects

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law passed in 2015 that governs K–12 public education policy. ESSA is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which established the federal government's expanded role in public education. The law reduces federal authority over states and school districts, giving states more power in determining the standards students are held to. This shift in power is in line with the Tenth Amendment, which states that The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. ESSA aims to provide equal opportunities for disadvantaged students and ensure that all students are prepared for college and a fulfilling career.

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The ESSA gives states more power over education

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law by President Obama in December 2015. It is a US law that governs K–12 public education policy, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The ESSA gives states more power over education by reducing federal authority and assigning key responsibilities to states and school districts. This shift in power aligns with the Tenth Amendment, which states that "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

One of the primary goals of the ESSA is to provide all students, regardless of race, income, disability, ethnicity, or English proficiency, with a high-quality and equitable education, preparing them for college and career success. To achieve this, the ESSA requires states to set challenging academic standards in reading, math, and science, and to apply these standards to all students, including those with learning differences. States are required to submit their goals and plans to the US Department of Education (DOE) for approval, ensuring they are ambitious yet feasible.

The ESSA also removes the NCLB's across-the-board school accountability system, giving states more flexibility in identifying and improving low-performing schools. States are left to determine the consequences for low-performing schools and how they will be supported. Additionally, states have more autonomy in setting policies on questions such as teacher evaluation, diminishing the federal government's influence over state education policy.

Furthermore, the ESSA requires states to address bullying and harassment, particularly towards students with disabilities, by developing and implementing plans to reduce such incidents. This aspect further highlights the increased responsibility given to states in ensuring the well-being and success of all students within their education systems.

Overall, the ESSA represents a significant shift in power dynamics between federal authority and state governance in education. By granting states more autonomy and decision-making power, the ESSA aims to enhance accountability, improve educational outcomes, and provide equal opportunities for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Federal government's role in education

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law that came into effect in December 2015. It is the main law for K–12 public education in the United States. The law holds schools accountable for how students learn and achieve, and aims to provide equal opportunities for disadvantaged students, including those who receive special education. ESSA is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which established the federal government's expanded role in public education.

The federal government's role in education has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that it is too far removed from the fundamental acts of teaching and learning to effectively govern how schools educate students. The Tenth Amendment states that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." This amendment affirms that education is a power of the states, and that it must begin with families and communities, rather than being exclusively provided by the government.

ESSA reflects a decrease in federal authority and an increase in state power over education. It gives states more autonomy in several areas, including identifying and addressing low-performing schools, setting policy on issues such as teacher evaluation, and determining interventions for struggling schools. States are required to submit their goals and standards, along with plans to achieve them, to the US Department of Education (DOE) for feedback and approval. This process ensures that states remain accountable for implementing ambitious yet feasible goals.

While ESSA shifts the focus of federal accountability provisions to states, it still assigns key responsibilities to the federal government. The federal government provides a framework within which each state creates its education plan. Additionally, ESSA mandates that states have "challenging" academic standards and require schools to offer college and career counselling and advanced placement courses to all students. The law also sets new requirements for students with disabilities, ensuring that they are held to the same standards and take the same assessments as their peers, with accommodations provided as needed.

State standards and goals

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law that came into effect in December 2015, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The ESSA shifts the federal accountability provisions to the states, giving them significantly more control in determining the standards students are held to.

The ESSA requires states to set "challenging" academic standards in reading, math, and science. These standards must prepare students to succeed in college and their careers. States must apply these standards to all students, including those with learning differences and disabilities.

States are required to submit their goals and standards, along with their plans to achieve them, to the US Department of Education (DOE). The DOE then provides feedback and approval, holding states accountable for implementing ambitious yet feasible goals.

The ESSA requires states to identify and address struggling schools, categorized as "Comprehensive Support and Improvement" or "Targeted Support and Improvement" schools. States and school districts must create plans to help improve these schools, utilizing evidence-based teaching approaches.

States must also choose a minimum of five ways to measure school performance, with the first four being mandatory academic indicators and the fifth measuring school quality or student success. These measures are designed to evaluate how schools are serving students and determine if students are improving.

The ESSA grants states the flexibility to address concerns about "overtesting" and allows them to determine the consequences for low-performing schools. It empowers states to make decisions on interventions, enhancing accountability and bringing services closer to the community.

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Student testing

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law that governs K–12 public education policy. It replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2015, modifying but not eliminating provisions relating to periodic standardised tests.

ESSA requires annual tests in grades 3–8 and once in high school. These tests cover reading, math, and science. However, ESSA has shifted the federal accountability provisions to states, giving them significantly more control in determining the standards students are held to. States are required to submit their goals and standards to the US Department of Education (DOE), which must provide feedback and approval. This ensures that states implement ambitious yet feasible goals and are held accountable for their students' achievement.

One key aspect of ESSA is its focus on closing opportunity gaps and ensuring equal opportunities for disadvantaged students, including those with special education needs. ESSA introduces Opportunity Indicators to help communities identify and address these gaps. It also mandates that schools offer college and career counselling and advanced placement courses to all students. Additionally, ESSA requires states to involve parents and caregivers in the school accountability process, ensuring a focus on disadvantaged children.

ESSA allows districts to use nationally recognised assessments, such as the ACT or SAT, instead of state tests in high schools. It also allows states to institute caps on testing time and provides funding to streamline assessment systems, reducing the overall testing burden on students and educators. ESSA also introduces computer-adaptive testing, which can provide more accurate data on student performance.

While ESSA maintains annual assessments, it decouples high-stakes decisions from statewide testing. It eliminates "adequate yearly progress" and the associated sanctions, shifting the focus away from test scores and towards a more holistic view of student success and school performance.

School governance

The Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution, which addresses states' rights, is particularly relevant to school governance. This amendment ensures that any powers not explicitly granted to the federal government are reserved for the states, giving state and local governments significant control over education policy and administration. This includes the authority to establish and manage public schools, determine curriculum standards, and allocate funding for education.

The Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, also has implications for school governance. This amendment applies to public schools and dictates the extent to which school officials can search students, their belongings, and school lockers. Generally, schools have been given some leeway in conducting searches, but they must still respect students' privacy rights and ensure that any search is reasonable and justified.

Additionally, the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to petition, has been a focal point in school governance. This amendment impacts various aspects of school life, including student expression, religious activities, and the teaching of controversial subjects. While students do retain their rights when they enter school premises, schools also have the responsibility to maintain order and a conducive learning environment, often leading to debates and legal challenges over the interpretation and application of the First Amendment in schools.

Furthermore, the Fourteenth Amendment, which addresses due process and equal protection under the law, has significant implications for school governance. This amendment ensures that individuals are treated fairly and equally by the government, including in the context of education. It has been used to challenge discriminatory practices in schools, promote integration, and ensure that students with disabilities are provided with an appropriate education. The Fourteenth Amendment also guarantees procedural due process, which applies to various disciplinary actions and decisions made by schools, thus ensuring a fair process for students.

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