BARR and the National
Education Landscape
Jon Terry
Strategic Relationships Consultant
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Sets federal policy related to K-12 education. Generic name is
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
• Bi-partisan, signed into law December 10, 2015.
• Ends Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and forces states to create
their own accountability and measurement systems that include
nonacademic measures.
• States are now in control. No more asking U.S. Dept. of ED for
waivers.
• Fewer ‘carrots’ in exchange for implementing tough reforms.
Fresh Thinking
“The new, locally-driven approach reflects a significant opportunity for
states to step back and [to] inventory what has really worked over the
last decade.”
BUT…
"Any reasonable observer would be concerned about the capacity
issues, given the enormity of the challenge.”
Flipping the Script
ESSA embraces the philosophy that local district officials are in the best
position to figure out what their schools need to do to improve.
BUT…
"School/districts are not often equipped to manage performance or
drive for results while also effectively [managing] everyday
challenges.”
State and District Dance
"I think everybody is excited. There's a sense it's not going to be nearly
as prescriptive.”
BUT…
“Districts are going to be reluctant to move forward until we have a
better sense of where the state is willing to allow us to go.” States,
meanwhile, are still sorting through exactly what their role will be
when it comes to helping districts and schools pick improvement
strategies.
Greater Ownership
ESSA could give districts greater ownership over plans and a more tailored
approach to school improvement.
BUT…
The best of plans won't make much difference if they aren't implemented
with fidelity. “States and districts need to make sure that schools have the
tools [they need] and continually monitor progress. If [the plan] is not
working, something else has to happen.”
ESSA Timeline
• Schools: 2016-17 is transition year.
• States: Currently in process of conducting stakeholder engagement
and drafting plans. Due in early 2017. Supposedly.
• Federal: Writing and issuing “guidance.” Completed by end of 2016.
• 2017-18 is when ESSA goes into effect and states must start
identifying schools in need of comprehensive improvement (bottom
5%, low graduation rates).
Federal Action
“Guidance”
• Title I
• Title II
• Evidence
Title I
Title II
“Recommended Strategies”
Evidence
“Strong, Moderate and Promising”
New State Accountability Plans
“What’s measured gets treasured.”
• Elementary and middle schools must include academic measures and
at least one nonacademic measure.
• High schools must include academic measures, graduation rate and at
least one nonacademic measure.
• Nonacademic = School Quality or Student Success.
• Questions related to school quality measure: What will be
measured? How will it be measured? How much will the measures
count on accountability system?
• Low performing does not equal punishment.
BARR School Quality/Student Success Outcomes
• Graduation rates
• Freshman failure rates
• Enrollment in AP and IB
• College readiness
• Attendance, suspensions and behavior
• School climate and culture
• Substance abuse
• Social and emotional skills
• Student engagement and teacher engagement
OUT vs IN
• NCLB ….
• U.S. Dept of Education …
• State waivers…
• Safe and Drug Free ….
• Four turnaround models….
• Focus on math and reading …
• Race to the Top…
ESSA
State Dept. of Education
State plans
Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Evidence-based models
Focus on educational excellence
Race to the WWC website
Thank you!