The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Perspectives on Accountability From State Education Leaders

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Unpacking Testing, Redefining Justice: Leadership, Equity, and Accountability in the 21st Century (Table 3)

Abstract

​​In this mixed methods study, we examined perspectives on ESSA accountability requirements and ideas for future reauthorization from the perspective education leaders working directly with assessment and accountability programs at state education agencies across the United States.​​ We found that a majority of respondents favored no or small changes to ESSA as it pertains to designations, indicators, and design decisions, although they expressed concerns with the perception of accountability requirements, such as designations, equity, a lack of meaningful comparability across and within states , and capacity to support schools within the current specifics of the law. Participants suggested that changing or removing specific ESSA requirements would encourage alignment of accountability requirements with state priorities.

Author

• Courtney Stone, Arizona State University