National education groups draft guidelines on stakeholder engagement in ESSA

National education groups draft guidelines on stakeholder engagement in ESSA

The Learning First Alliance (LFA) a partnership of leading education organizations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools recently released principles to guide stakeholder engagement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ESSA recognizes the expertise that educators can bring to the policymaking process and calls for collaboration by practitioners and policymakers but it gives few details on how those groups should work together. To facilitate that process, LFA proposes principles to guide stakeholder engagement.  The principles are available on LFA’s webpage and more information is available in LFA’s press release.

In addition to NSBA, LFA members include: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA:The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; International Society for Technology in Education; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education, Association; National PTA; National School Public Relations Association; and Phi Delta Kappa International.

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VIDEO: ESSA and Homeless Children — McKinney Vento in the Every Student Succeeds Act, An Introduction for Virginia’s Liaisons

VIDEO: ESSA and Homeless Children — McKinney Vento in the Every Student Succeeds Act, An Introduction for Virginia’s Liaisons

Project HOPE – Virginia

Published on Jun 24, 2016

On December 10, 2015, the President signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Under the previous version of ESEA (the No Child Left Behind Act), the education of homeless children and youth was included in Title X, Part C. Under ESSA, homeless education is included in Title IX, Part A. The McKinney-Vento portion of ESSA takes effect on October 1, 2016.

VIDEO: Every Student Succeeds Act provisions for Foster Care children with disabilities

VIDEO: Every Student Succeeds Act provisions for Foster Care children with disabilities

This presentation provides an overview of provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) pertaining to children in foster care with an emphasis on foster care children with disabilities. Presented by Kathleen McNaught, Project Director at the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education. The presentation slides are available at http://www.advocacyinstitute.org/ESSA…

Diversity efforts upheld by U.S. Supreme Court

Diversity efforts upheld by U.S. Supreme Court

In a 4-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the educational benefits of diversity. At issue in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas was whether a race-conscious admissions policy designed to enhance diversity is constitutional and if diversity constitutes a valid educational goal. The Court upheld the University’s policy.

Diverse learning environments benefit all students, and the benefits stretch across many areas of student learning and development, including academic achievement, social and interpersonal skills, workplace preparation, and civic engagement.

“Diversity positively affects learning outcomes for all students and benefits schools, communities, and our country as a whole,” said Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director of the National School Boards Association. “It takes dedicated efforts to achieve racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity and NSBA is pleased that the Court affirmed its longstanding principles in support of policies and practices that foster diversity and integration.”

“Inclusion goals and diversity efforts benefit the educational outcomes and future success of all students, especially underrepresented minorities,” said Francisco Negrón, general counsel, National School Boards Association.” “The Court’s decision rightfully recognized the achievement of educational benefits of diversity for all students as a constitutionally permitted academic goal.”

NSBA filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Fisher v. University of TexasNovember 2, 2015.  More information is also available in our press release.

VIDEO: How the Every Student Succeeds Act Supports Rural Education

VIDEO: How the Every Student Succeeds Act Supports Rural Education

Published on Jun 9, 2016

Alliance for Excellent Education

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offers a number of opportunities to support rural education by providing states and local districts more flexibility while preserving the critical role of the federal government. ESSA also includes an array of federal funding programs, research initiatives, and capacity-building efforts directed to support rural schools.

Local Control and Accountability Plan Approved by Board of Trustees

Local Control and Accountability Plan Approved by Board of Trustees

The Sylvan District Board of Trustees approved the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) at the June 7, 2016Board of Education meeting. Approved LCAP: The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is a major change to how California has supported school districts. Through LCFF districts are required to provide a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that is written from stakeholder feedback. Stakeholders include parents, students, staff, and community members. In addition, this shifts California from treating funding as an input to support students to a resource that is linked to performance expectations. LCFF also emphasizes equity and provides funding for English learners, low income students, and foster youth referred to as supplemental and concentration grants. Sylvan District does not meet the minimum percentage requirement to receive concentration grant funds. The State budget projects the timeframe for full implementation of LCFF to be eight years beginning in 2013-2014. The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) provides an opportunity for districts to share their stories of how, what, and why programs and services are selected and provided to support positive student outcomes across a broad spectrum of areas. Sylvan District’s LCAP was developed through feedback at multiple meetings and from on-line responses from our stakeholders.