Doug Mesecar, an adjunct scholar at the Lexington Institute, authored an opinion piece in The 74 discussing how states are “seizing the opportunity ESSA provides to start moving to personalized learning.” Mesecar argues “Tennessee has the most comprehensive approach to personalized learning,” and how it...
The Frontline Research & Learning Institute released a report examining how school districts are offering professional learning systems under ESSA. In reviewing more than 200 school districts across the country, the report highlights New York’s Greece Central School District as a “model for professional development that is...
Thomas Kane, the Walter H. Gale Professor of Education and Economics at Harvard University and faculty director of Center for Education Policy Research, argued ESSA’s main importance is the flexibility provided to the states. Kane noted, “ESSA allows states the discretion to encourage local innovation...
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) released a policy brief examining how states are utilizing social and emotional learning in ESSA plans. The paper suggests five ways for states to successfully incorporate social and emotional approaches: Articulate a well-rounded vision of student...
Brandon Wright of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute published an article praising Secretary Betsy DeVos for her ESSA “State Plan Peer Review Criteria.” According to Wright, the criteria encourage states to develop an accountability system that goes beyond just measuring proficiency. Through the use of...
In an opinion piece, Michael J. Petrilli and Brandon L. Wright of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute raised concerns over the District of Columbia’s proposed ESSA plan. Petrilli and Wright argued that the District’s accountability plan doesn’t “do nearly enough for high achievers, especially those...
Experts from the Center for American Progress posted a blog opposing President Trump’s 2018 federal budget. CAP said the budget “would dismantle public schools through massive cuts to teacher training, after-school programs in public schools, and transfers of public funds to private school vouchers.” They...
The Center for American Progress released a report on designing accountability systems under ESSA. The report’s authors encourage states not to “just comply with ESSA,” but to “take advantage of the flexibility afforded by the law in order to develop classification systems that reflect their state vision for education and that...
The Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University launched “Evidence for ESSA,” a website that “reviews every math and reading program for grades K to 12” and determines which programs “meet the strong, moderate, or promising levels of evidence defined in...
The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program and the Council of Chief State School Officers released a set of recommendations for state education chiefs on improving equity for students under ESSA. According to Education Week, the guidelines are a “culmination of months of work by...
