Ohio Seeks Local Input for ESSA Roll-Out

by Michelle Faust

Most Ohio schools are already in session for this school year, but the Ohio Department of Education has its eye towards the next one (2017-2018). The state is beginning a series of meetings seeking community input on its implementation of a new federal law.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), passed last December with bipartisan congressional support, replaced the George W. Bush Administration's No Child Left Behind (2002).  

Under ESSA, Ohio will develop its own plan to improve student performance. The state can set standards for student achievement, but it has to allow communities to weigh in.

Representatives from the Ohio Department of Education are holding webinars with details about federal requirements and posting the information to Youtube.

Required community meetings begin Wednesday in Columbus and will be held regularly in different parts of the state through October 5th.

The federal law compels states to allow parents, teachers, and school board members a say in how Ohio plans to improve public schools.