Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho praised the strong bipartisan efforts of congressional leaders in the reauthorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which was signed into law Thursday by President Barack Obama.
“I am grateful for the vision and leadership of our members of Congress, especially Rep. Frederica Wilson and Rep. Carlos Curbelo,” said Carvalho. “Their tireless and bipartisan work on behalf of children will benefit urban education and create reasonable and equitable standards for measuring student learning gains and academic progress.”
The Every Student Succeeds Act represents an important step forward to improve the nation’s education system. Students across the nation will have the opportunity to receive a fair, even-handed and high-quality education, supporting efforts to close the achievement gap. While No Child Left Behind expected 100 percent proficiency for all students by 2014, ESSA gives states the authorization to identify their own goals to address proficiency on tests, English-language proficiency and graduation rates.
ESSA does not take a one-size-fits all approach and reduces the number of standardized tests administered each school year. The law maintains the annual testing requirement for Reading and Math in grades 3-8 and once in high school, and grade-span testing in Science. It also maintains subgroup reporting and a 95 percent testing requirement. States allowing opt-outs must still meet this requirement without excluding these students.
Additionally, the law directs states to develop a differentiated accountability system for all schools and subgroups based on six key factors: 1) Proficiency; 2) Growth or another academic indicator; 3) Graduation rate for high school; 4) English language proficiency; 5) Other indicator(s) of student achievement and school success, and 6) 95 percent assessment participation. ESSA does not include Title I formula changes or portability provisions.
“This is a great day for students in Miami-Dade County as well as students across the nation,” said Carvalho. “Our nation’s leaders have taken bold steps toward fixing No Child Left Behind, building stronger schools and reassuring every child that they have the potential and now the opportunity to excel academically.”
