Every Child Achieves Act 2015 | 4 Things You Should Know | Rebecca Klein@rklein90

4 Things You Should Know About The Senate's Overhaul Of No Child Left Behind

The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 ends the federal test-based accountability system of No Child Left Behind.  The responsibility for determining how how to use federally required tests has been given back to the states.

The tests MUST be included in their accountability systems, but each state will be able to determine the weight of the tests. Other requirements include:graduation rates and English proficiency for English learners.

Students in grades 3 through 8 and one grade in high school will still be required to take tests in reading and mathematics, in addition to science tests given three times between grades 3 and 12.

Federal grants to states and school districts are included to help improve low performing schools that are identified by the state accountability systems.  Individual school district will be responsible for designing evidence-based interventions for low performing schools, with technical assistance from the states.  States are required to monitor interventions implemented by school districts and may take steps to further assist school districts if interventions are ineffective.

Annual reporting of disaggregated data is still required.  States will decide what academic standards to adopt.