Ohio’s ESSA Plan Approved

Ohio has received federal approval for its education accountability plan required under ESSA, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

The U.S. Department of Education signed off on the state’s proposal Tuesday, along with ten other states.

“These plans should not be considered a ceiling, but as a foundation upon which states can improve education for students,” U.S. Secretary for Education Betsy DeVos said in a press releases announcing the approval.

Submitted in September, Ohio’s plan details the state’s current academic content standards, which identify what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade in each subject area.

It contains an accountability system for schools based on the current A through F reports cards, which are based on scores for graduation rates, K-3 grade literacy, and growth year-to-year of standardized test scores, among other things.

Ohio’s plan includes a process to help schools and school districts set long-term learning goals. It also details the assistance that will be provided to struggling schools to create improvement plans.

“This plan shows Ohio’s commitment to making sure all of our children are prepared for success,” Ohio Superintendent Paolo DeMaria wrote in a letter that accompanied the ESSA proposal.

Ohio’s ESSA plan was the result of a stakeholder engagement process that included parents, educators, members of the Ohio Board of Education, the General Assembly, and the Governor’s Office.

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