Following months of public input, the Michigan Department of Education is releasing the full draft plan for meeting the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

 

Michigan’s Draft Plan is open for a 30-day public comment period, concluding March 16, 2017. Input will continue to be incorporated until the submission of Michigan’s final plan to the U.S. Department of Education in April.

 

ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and is scheduled for full implementation during the 2017-18 school year.

 

“This ESSA plan is a key component of making Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years,” says State Superintendent Brian Whiston.

 

“Educators, parents, legislators and community members across the state devoted significant time and effort over the past several months to help us shape this plan. I appreciate their time, vision, feedback and continued collaboration as we finalize and implement our plan,” Whiston said.

 

Whiston said the proposed plan has a “whole child” focus; will have less student testing; focuses on student academic growth; institutes a Partnership Model for improving low-performing schools; has a school accountability system tied to the Top 10 in 10 strategies; gives schools more flexibility on how they choose to improve; and gives schools greater ownership in how they follow their own plans.

 

The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into federal law on Dec. 10, 2015, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act. This law represents a shift from broad federal oversight of primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision-making at the state and local levels. ESSA requires states to develop plans that address standards, assessments, school and district accountability, and special help for struggling schools.

 

There still is time for the public to weigh in. The draft ESSA plan is available for review and comment at www.michigan.gov/essa. You are invited to review and provide comment on the draft state plan through March 16.