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ESSA Flexibility Webinar Scheduled For Nov. 7
Parents and educators can learn about the opportunities highlighted in the ESSA Flexibility plan from the U.S. Department of Education.
CONCORD, – The U.S. Department of Education is hosting a webinar at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2018, to answer any questions parents or educators may have about new tools and flexibilities with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal government recently released new parent/guardian-friendly information as well as a technical summary of opportunities that the new flexibilities allow. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the release of the flexibility plan earlier this month and said they were an effort to return power to parents, states, and local educators, by not forcing them to analyze a 500-page legal document to understand how the law affects their children’s education.
The flexibilities include allowing states the opportunity to implement innovative tests – not just a statewide test; broad discretion for states to design accountability systems to hold schools accountable for student achievement; a public school choice option for students in schools identified for comprehensive improvement; the ability to use federal funds to provide “direct student services” that it otherwise couldn’t, such as enabling students to enroll in different courses; and the opportunity to combine funds to better support students.
"Children thrive when families play an active role in their education. Informed parents are better equipped to fill that role," noted Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education. "So, we appreciate this supportive resource from the U.S. Department of Education that helps our parents, educators and communities better understand the federal education laws affecting their children."
Not every flexibility in the ESSA plan is available to New Hampshire parents and educators due to local and state education laws and rules.
- Register for the Webinar (link no longer active)
The webinar will be recorded and posted on the same webpage along with other information for parents and educators.