Education Department Releases ESSA Accountability Rules

The U.S. Department of Education has released a draft version of accountability regulations for the Every Student Succeeds Act that would require “comprehensive, summative” ratings for schools, but would not dictate or encourage states to set any particular weight, or a range of weights, for individual accountability measures. The proposed regulations, released Thursday, would also clarify…

Data dashboard for accountability instead of A-F grade?

Educators have long complained that state accountability systems that use only test scores and graduation rates to rank or grade schools oversimplify school success, confuse parents, and mask achievement gaps. Now, education leaders and lawmakers in states including California and Kentucky have said they want to toss one-size-fits-all school rankings and give the public information…

Proposed changes to nation’s school lunch program could impact thousands of Florida children

It’s a little-noticed move on Capitol Hill, but one that could negatively impact thousands of Florida children in districts around the state. House lawmakers are proposing legislation that would roll backschool lunch laws passed in 2010. These laws guarantee free lunches and after-school meals for children in high-poverty areas. A proposal the House will consider…

Public Education Must Be Our New Frontier

Of all the impassioned debate we’ve witnessed in this presidential campaign, there has been remarkably little said about a policy issue critical to America’s future: public education. When the candidates have talked about education, they have primarily focused on higher education, which is provided through colleges and universities. Our presidential candidates have largely been silent…

New U.S. rules for standardized testing have been drafted. Here’s what they mean for kids.

Last December, Congress passed a new federal education law called the Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing No Child Left Behind. With it will come new rules for states to follow regarding standardized testing for “accountability” purposes. Negotiators have agreed on draft rules, which will soon be released so the public can comment before the rules…