This is the 5th ESSA implementation update in a series.
To see all posts on ESSA implementation, click here.
To see our interactive 50-state ESSA implementation map, click here.
Section 1111. of the Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to file a plan developed by the State educational agency with timely and meaningful consultation with the:
- Governor;
- Members of the State legislature;
- Members of the State Board of Education;
- Local educational agencies (including rural areas);
- Representatives of Indian tribes located in the State;
- Teachers;
- Principals and other school leaders;
- Charter school leaders;
- Instructional support personnel and paraprofessionals;
- Administrators and other staff; and
- Parents.
Here’s how eight states – Alabama, Colorado. Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, and Pennsylvania – are soliciting input broadly and assembling steering/ implementation committees to launch their ESSA implementation process.
Alabama. Governor Bentley’s March press release announces the State ESSA Implementation Committee. Yet missing from the list of members is any explicit reference to a parent, teacher, instructional support personnel, or someone representing a civil rights organization.
Colorado. Colorado’s Department of Education provides an ongoing “conversation” on the implementation of ESSA. In May, DOE staff launched a six-site listening tour. Lots of good information and communication on their website, but it’s not clear who is on the Implementation Committee.
Hawaii. Governor Ige invited the public to apply to serve on the Governor’s sixteen-member ESSA Implementation team. How the team is comprised wasn’t detailed, but an Education Summit will be held in the summer along with town hall meetings to share information and to collect public input.
Idaho. Idahoans interested in playing a role in creating the state’s ESSA plan or reviewing drafts were invited to apply to one of the Stakeholder Workgroups. But no word yet on how the state will assure members of the stakeholder workgroups will meet the representative needs described in law.
Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Education is holding town hall meetings across the state, and an email address is provided for the public to submit thoughts. Governor Pruitt plans to name a steering committee.
Maryland. While the search for a new State Superintendent of Education is underway, the 43-member ESSA Stakeholder Committee, which includes representatives from the State Education Association and Baltimore Teacher’s Union, as well as the Greater Baltimore Urban League, NAACP, PTA, and 18 employees of the State Department of Education (and Bellwether Education partner Andy Smarick), but no charter leader, began meeting and talking with stakeholders and focus groups across the state to solicit feedback.
Montana. State Superintendent Juneau has appointed 33 educators, parents and district trustees to two workgroups that will assist the Office of Public Instruction in developing Montana’s education accountability systems. A Call for Applicants to serve on workgroups was made available to the public.
Pennsylvania. Workgroups were formed using nominations from state lawmakers, professional associations, and education leaders around the state in an effort to reflect Pennsylvania’s diversity. Charter schools, early childhood education, higher ed, unions, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, and the NAACP are represented.