ESSA

• Provide well-rounded education
• • STEM
  • music and the arts
  • foreign language (see World Languages tab in navigation bar above)
  • accelerated programs (AP, IB)
  • US History civics, economics, geography, government (see US History tab in naviagaton bar above)
  • environmental education (see STEM / Environmental tab in navigation bar above)
  • financial education
• Improve the use of technology
• • Discover and share high-quality tech resources (see Computer Science tab in navigation bar above)
  • Personalize learning to improve academic achievement
  • Use technology effectively in the classroom including administering computer-based assessments, blended learning strategies, and assistive technology
  • Build technological capacity and infrastructure
  • Create Professional Development for the use of technology
  • Provide digital resources and access to online courses to students in rural and underserved areas
• Improve school conditions for learning

ESSA provides targeted funds for initiatives aimed at improving student achievement in reading and writing from birth through grade twelve—an important shift that recognizes the continuing literacy needs of students after 3rd grade.

ESSA provides targeted funding for establishment of Presidential Academies for the Teaching of American History and Civics, Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, and other activities aimed at the improvement of American history, civics and government education (see U.S. History button in navigation bar above).

To help ensure resource equity and opportunity for all students, regardless of ZIP code, new state-designed accountability systems must include:

• Reading and math assessments
• High school graduation rates
• Progress towards English language proficiency for ELLs, including the adoption of English language proficiency (ELP) standards that are aligned with challenging academic standards (see ELL tab in navigation bar above).
• At least one indicator of school success or student support—e.g., access to advanced coursework, fine arts, and PE; school climate and safety; discipline and bullying prevention policies; and the availability of counselors or nurses
• Another state-determined indicator for elementary and middle schools

School improvement plans must include evidence-based interventions and address resource inequities.

Each state must set college- and career-ready standards, as well as goals and targets for progress within student subgroups. Support is available for programs that provide skills necessary to ensure that students graduate from high school college and career ready.

ESSA makes resources available to develop or strengthen teacher induction and mentoring programs and to enhance collaboration and teacher-led PD aligned with student needs. It also provides a definition of PD embedded in research based on standards developed by teachers—for example, Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning.

ESSA authorizes Statewide Family Engagement Centers to provide comprehensive training on parent education and family-school partnerships.

Through a competitive grant process, the Preschool Development grants provide funding to states to promote coordination and collaboration between existing early childhood programs and systems to improve the access to and quality of programs for low income and disadvantaged children.