July 2017
Making the Most of ESSA: 20 Ideas for How to Leverage ESSA to Advance College and Career Readiness and Equity
ESSA provides states and districts with new authority and responsibility to design and implement education systems that can best promote equity and advance college and career ready outcomes for all students. But how can states and stakeholders get the most out of ESSA? What would the best ESSA implementation include to advance shifts in teaching, learning, and student supports based on data and evidence to ensure that all students can master the deeper learning knowledge and skills necessary for success in college and career? Based on our analysis of the law and our review of nearly all states' draft ESSA plans in some form, the following are 20 questions for states and stakeholders to ask about their ESSA plans and implementation -- including plans for federal review and other state plans for effective implementation. This tool is intended to help states and stakeholders consider if they are best using ESSA in their unique context to advance success in college and career among all students, including a particular eye toward closing gaps in success. These questions are drawn from our guide - Making the Most of ESSA: 20 Ideas for How to Leverage ESSA to Advance College and Career Readiness and Equity - that includes more detailed explanations of systemic shifts, ESSA levers, and state examples.