(Des Moines, Iowa) Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise says he's encouraged by modifications to the "Every Student Succeeds Act, (ESSA)" which replaces the "No Child Left Behind Act." The plan is being submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.
Wise says the ESSA places more authority and decision making in the hands of states and local school districts. He says it keeps the focus on fairness for all students, but gets rid of "prescriptive federal targets," sanctions and models for improving schools, and puts decision making back into local hands.
Wise says older terms like "Watch list" and "School in assistance" are gone, but there's still accountability through transparency. He says there will continue to be academic reporting, and those will be broadened to look at larger achievement measures, such as post secondary readiness.
Wise says there was a limited range of options and control in "No Child Left Behind," he says the fact that the states and local districts have more control with the new system is more appealing to others who disliked No Child Left Behind.