Every Student Succeeds Act: What schools should know

Helping Schools Understand the Every Student Succeeds Act


1. What is ESSA?

  • ESSA was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama. ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
  • ESSA requires that student performance targets and school ratings are based on multiple measures.
  • ESSA recognizes that student performance is more than achievement test scores.
  • ESSA requires that all schools measure non-academic outcomes, such as school climate and social-emotional learning, to assess student learning.

2. What are “non-academic outcomes”? 

  • Non-academic outcomes are measures of school and student success that are not based on standardized testing.
  • Non-academic outcomes include such measures as:
    • Student and educator engagement
    • Postsecondary readiness
    • School climate and safety
    • Student self-control and conscientiousness
    • Parent satisfaction and engagement
    • Rates of in-school and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions
    • Chronic absenteeism
    • Incidences of violence, bullying, and harassment
    • Graduation rates
    • Social-emotional learning

3. How can SRI help you? 

  • SRI designs, administers, and analyzes surveys that measure non-academic outcomes of schools and students, such as social-emotional learning and school climate.
  • SRI has over 10 years experience designing surveys to meet the needs of various educational organizations in the public, charter, and independent school sectors.
  • SRI can customize surveys to meet the needs of states, school districts, and school leaders.
  • SRI can compare or benchmark survey results to other similar schools nationally and within a state.
  • SRI reports are colorful and in an easy-to-understand format. Summaries of findings are provided and conclusions offer ideas for strategic planning and school improvement.
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