Anticipation Mounts for What Positive Changes ESSA will Bring
October 15, 2016
In Education Week, Larry Ferlazzo blogged about his radio interview with education leaders on whether ESSA will bring positive changes to the classroom.
- American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten argued that what happens in the classroom will greatly depend on how states “embrace the opportunity ESSA presents.” Shee called for stakeholders to “come together” and “speak loudly for our students and schools.”
- Center for Teaching Quality Founder Barnett Berry highlighted three priorities for ESSA, including flexibility to determine school success, developing teachers as leaders of performance and assessment reforms, and overhauling professional learning systems.
- USC Associate Professor and education researcher Morgan Polikoff noted that changes are “likely to be a mixed bag” and may not have “very much impact.”
- Author Erik M. Francis issued concerns that, like past acts, “there have been a lack of understanding and awareness” of what the policies “of the act provide.”
- New Leaders’ Chief Policy and Evaluation Officer Jacki Gran argued that ESSA has the “potential to reverse negative trends” but to do so, states must get “leadership and accountability” right.