New York State's Final Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan Summary

Overview & Synopsis

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides federal funds to improve elementary and secondary education in the nation's schools. ESSA requires states and Local Educational Agencies (i.e., school districts and charter schools) to take a variety of actions to ensure that all children, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, disability status, primary language, or ZIP code, receive the education that they need to be prepared for success in post secondary education, careers, and citizenship. New York State receives approximately $1.6 billion annually in funding through ESSA. After more than a year of engagement with thousands of stakeholders, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) released its draft ESSA state plan on May 9, 2017 for public comment NYSED, with Board of Regents approval, submitted New York State's ESSA plan to the United States Department of Education (USDE) for review on September 17, 2018. On January 17, 2018, the United States Department of Education (USDE) approved the State's plan. This summary document outlines the stakeholder engagement process and highlights key proposals from the full plan, as revised to incorporate public feedback on the May draft, feedback from the Board of Regents, and revisions made based on discussions with USDE.