December 2015
Summary Analysis of the Every Student Succeeds Act
On December 10, 2015 the President signed the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This document provides a brief summary based on our legal and policy judgment of some key provisions in the 1061-page ESSA bill based on our initial read. The precise meaning and impact of ESSA will continue to play out through regulations, guidance, and implementation over the coming months and years – presenting both opportunities and risks on the federal, state, and local levels for improving education systems and outcomes for all students in the nation