Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
On Dec. 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a long-awaited overhaul of federal education law. Passed with bipartisan support, ESSA represents a shift from broad federal oversight of primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision making at the state and local levels. The law replaces the No Child Left Behind Act.
ESSA represents a shift toward increased state and local control of elementary and secondary education. However, the federal law maintains strong accountability measures that will ensure students across the country leave our schools with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in college, careers and life.