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National Youth-At-Risk Journal Volume 2 Article 1 Issue 1 Fall 2016 The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What It Means for Educators of Students at Risk Cordelia D. Zinskie Georgia Southern University Dan W. Rea Georgia Southern University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar Recommended Citation Zinskie, C. D., & Rea, D. W. (2016). The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What It Means for Educators of Students at Risk. National Youth-At-Risk Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.20429/nyarj.2016.020101 This editorial perspective is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in National Youth-At-Risk Journal by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What It Means for Educators of Students at Risk Abstract This editorial perspective examines some ways that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which becomes operational in the 2017–2018 school year, may enhance the capacity of educators to help students and schools at risk of underperforming. It also addresses some of the challenges that educators will face under ESSA in ensuring success for all students. We highlight aspects of ESSA that may be of most interest to our readers including the broadened definition of academic success, expansion of subgroups for data reporting, emphasis on evidence-based research and practice, focus on continuous improvement, and need for increased educator understanding of research and evaluation. Resources are included that provide information for educators on how to use evidence, locate research findings on existing interventions, and access funding opportunities. Keywords ESSA, academic success, evidence-based practice, continuous improvement This editorial perspective is available in National Youth-At-Risk Journal: http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/ iss1/1
Zinskie and Rea: The Every Student Succeeds Act The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What It Means for Educators of Students at Risk Cordelia D. Zinskie and Dan W. Rea Georgia Southern University the term “at risk” to describe the inequitable Despite the American promise of equal educational opportunity for all students, conditions, challenging circumstances, or persistent achievement gaps among more stressful situations that make it more likely for and less advantaged groups of students students, individually or collectively, to have remain, along with the opportunity gaps poor or harmful school outcomes. We avoid that create disparate outcomes. (Cook- labeling students as “at-risk students” by using Harvey, Darling-Hammond, Lam, Mercer, the “person-first” language of “students at & Roc, 2016, p. v) risk” to describe realistically the problematic conditions that may threaten their safety, T he mission of the National Youth-At-Risk Journal is to help practitioners—especially educators who serve students placed at risk by health, social-emotional needs, or academic achievement (for more information, see Rea & Zinskie, 2015, pp. 3–6). According to ESSA poverty and other challenging conditions—to (2015), students placed at risk for academic close opportunity gaps that prevent students failure need special assistance and support to from attaining a quality education (Rea & help them succeed in school, and ESSA provides Zinskie, 2015). With the journal’s mission in new opportunities for educators to address mind, this editorial perspective examines some this student need. We consider some of these ways that the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) new opportunities in this editorial perspective; (2015), which becomes operational in the 2017– we also address some of the challenges that 2018 school year, may enhance the capacity of educators will face under ESSA in ensuring educators to help students and schools at risk success for all students. of underperforming. Signed into law on December 10, 2015, ESSA INCREASES STATES’ FLEXIBILITY AND is the latest reauthorization of the historical CONTROL Elementary and Secondary Education Act Under ESSA, states have much greater (ESEA) passed in 1965 as part of United States responsibility for developing and implementing President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” accountability systems designed to support Consistent with the original purpose of the student learning; however, with this increased act, ESSA provides resources and support for responsibility also comes more discretion students and schools at risk of academic failure with regard to establishing context-specific because of the inequitable conditions of poverty. academic standards, identifying accountability Furthermore, ESSA replaces it predecessor, the indicators, designing annual state assessments, unpopular federally controlled No Child Left and planning interventions for students and Behind (NCLB) Act, with a more flexible state schools at risk of low academic performance controlled educational program. (Association for Supervision and Curriculum A basic tenet of ESSA is that educators must Development [ASCD], 2015; Chenoweth, 2016; believe that all students can succeed (Chenoweth, Darling-Hammond et al., 2016; McGuinn, 2016; 2016). In this editorial perspective, we use Patrick, Worthen, Frost, & Gentz, 2016; Weiss Published by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, 2016 1
National Youth-At-Risk Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 1 & McGuinn, 2016). For example, ESSA gives These non-cognitive indicators have important school districts—in partnership with school implications for improving the school success of staff and parents—the opportunity to replace all students, especially students placed at risk by the one-size-fits-all remedies of NCLB with a lack of social-emotional school support, the locally selected and designed evidence-based threat of bullying, or chronic truancy. According interventions that are creatively adapted to the to Cook-Harvey et al. (2016), “Carefully chosen particular needs of their struggling students and measures can help shine a light on poor learning schools. With an increase in decision-making conditions and other inequities” (p. v). Use of authority at the local level, schools will also multiple measures provides a more holistic view have a greater responsibility to meet the needs of schools and their students (Elgart, 2016). of all students. There has been disagreement regarding which non-cognitive indicators are most BROADENS THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS appropriate for the state accountability plans. ESSA does include annual testing in reading The non-cognitive (or fifth) indicator must and math in third through eighth grades and be measured systematically, be related to once during high school as one of the four academic indicators, and provide meaningful required academic indicators in the state’s differentiation among schools (Schanzenbach, accountability system because these data are Bauer, & Mumford, 2016). Schanzenbach et essential for comparing student performance al. expressed concern regarding use of a social- across schools and districts. ESSA also provides emotional indicator like school climate in the an option for high schools to use the SAT or ACT accountability system because it is typically rather than a state-level assessment. However, assessed via a self-report survey instrument. ESSA broadens the definition of success beyond They noted that an indicator such as attendance only performance on standardized assessments is a more valid, reliable, and comparable (Kendziora & Yoder, 2016); ESSA also requires measure for use in high stakes accountability. an additional statewide academic indicator They do recommend use of measures of school such as student growth at the elementary and climate as part of formative assessment. middle school levels; a measure of progress In contrast, García and Weiss (2016) and in English language proficiency for English West (2016) reported that results of previous language learners (grades 3–8 and once during empirical research do confirm a link between high school); and high school graduation rate non-cognitive indicators (e.g., social-emotional (Chenoweth, 2016; Darling-Hammond et al., skills) and academic and life outcomes. García 2016). Patrick et al. (2016) also recommended and Weiss stated that “accountability practices the use of entry and formative assessments to and policies must be broadened to make explicit evaluate student progress. the expectation that schools and teachers contribute to the development of non-cognitive INCLUDES NON-COGNITIVE INDICATOR skills and to make the development of the In addition, ESSA requires states to choose whole child central to the mission of education at least one non-cognitive indicator such as policy” (p. 3). It should be noted that while student engagement, school climate and safety, states are allowed to decide the weights for attendance, postsecondary readiness, or any indicators included in their accountability other that can be categorized as a measure system, academic indicators must be assigned a of school quality or student success (Darling- greater weight than the selected non-cognitive Hammond et al., 2016; McGuinn, 2016). indicator (McGuinn, 2016). http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/iss1/1 2 DOI: 10.20429/nyarj.2016.020101
Zinskie and Rea: The Every Student Succeeds Act EXPANDS SUBGROUPS FOR DATA REPORTING student or other relevant outcomes and that As with NCLB, ESSA requires that progress includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects toward meeting or exceeding standards must of such activity, strategy, or intervention” (pp. be assessed for all students including identified 290–291). Although considered empirical subgroups of students who have disabilities, research, other types of studies (e.g., case are economically disadvantaged, have limited studies, descriptive studies, survey research) English language proficiency, and belong to do not count as sufficient evidence per the a major racial/ethnic group (ASCD, 2015; ESSA definition; also questions remain whether Darling-Hammond et al., 2016). These four meta-analyses meet the evidence-based criteria subgroups are students that have historically (Epstein et al., 2016). been underserved by schools and are most likely How do schools determine which to need special assistance and support; the interventions or strategies are the most data for these student subgroups will continue promising? One option is to review previous to be disaggregated for data reporting and research literature to determine which have accountability purposes. Data from three new been most effective based on the ESSA definition. subgroups, students who are homeless, are [Note: A decision about effectiveness cannot be in foster care, or have parents in the military, based on one empirical study; multiple studies will also be examined but not reported for showing positive outcomes are needed to make statewide accountability (ASCD, 2015). Students a definitive statement about effectiveness.] in these three challenging conditions may also Examples of evidence-based interventions that have academic and social-emotional needs have produced successful outcomes in general that require special attention; however, data include high-quality professional development, have not previously been available on these class-size reduction, and high school redesign subgroups to confirm this. (Lam et al., 2016). Although ESSA contains numerous STRESSES EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND references to an “activity, strategy, or PRACTICE intervention”, no definition is provided regarding ESSA requires that interventions be these actions or materials designed to improve evidenced-based and defines different types outcomes. Epstein et al. (2016) noted that of research evidence allowed when choosing while interventions that are professionally an activity, strategy, or intervention designed developed and marketed (e.g., Accelerated for improvement (Lam, Mercer, Podolsky, & Reader, enVisionMATH) are more likely to have Darling-Hammond, 2016). Under ESSA, an a strong research base, ESSA does not limit activity, strategy, or intervention is defined as schools to use of these types of interventions. evidence-based if it “demonstrates a statistically However, Epstein et al. recommended that significant effect on improving student outcomes when sufficient evidence is available regarding or other relevant outcomes based on strong the effectiveness of an intervention, it may be evidence from an experimental study, moderate more efficient in terms of time and resources to evidence from a quasi-experimental study, or select an existing, proven option for improving promising evidence from a correlational study outcomes. with statistical controls for selection bias.” Also It should be noted that the context of considered as evidence-based is an activity, evidence is very important; schools need to focus strategy, or intervention that has a “rationale on evidence from studies in similar settings with based on high-quality research findings or similar students (Dynarski, 2015; Sparks, 2016). positive evaluation…that is likely to improve For example, low-performing schools with a Published by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, 2016 3
National Youth-At-Risk Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 1 large population of economically disadvantaged associated with student learning (Chenoweth, students should seek evidence from research 2016). For example: How do students learn? on high-poverty, high-performing schools. In What is the role of the principal with regard to addition to seeing what has worked for others, teaching and learning? What teacher practices it is important for schools to test strategies and are most effective? What worked well? What interventions in their own settings (Chenoweth, needs to be improved? It is also important to 2016). These strategies and interventions must recognize that change takes time and that failure also be evaluated with students in the local to improve student outcomes is a “learning setting who are members of one or more of the opportunity” in the continuous improvement ESSA designated subgroups. model (Darling-Hammond et al., 2016). Finally, Practitioner research is a good first step for making feedback available to all stakeholders at testing a new activity, strategy, or intervention in all levels is an important part of the continuous the local context. [See Zinskie & Rea, 2016, for improvement process (Patrick et al., 2016). It is guidance on conducting practitioner research.] especially important that educators be vigilant As Chenoweth (2016) found in her research of regarding continuous improvement for students high-performing, high-poverty schools, “…the in the designated subgroups who are at risk of most powerful lever of improvement rests on academic failure. the ability of one teacher to say to another: ‘My kids aren’t doing as well as yours. What are you CALLS FOR APPROPRIATE USE AND doing?’”(p. 41). The teachers in schools who COMMUNICATION OF DATA are consistently reaching and teaching low- ESSA calls for appropriate use of data obtained performing students are an exemplary source as part of the accountability and continuous of promising teaching methods that should improvement process; it also requires that not be overlooked in the search for evidence- individual student privacy be maintained in data based approaches to school improvement. reporting. An effective data system must be Principals and teachers in professional learning established that allows data to be reported in communities need to find ways to showcase and an aggregate manner as well as disaggregated determine the effects of what is working in their by designated subgroups (Patrick et al., own schools and school districts (ESSA, 2015). 2016). However, this same system must have the capacity for access to individual student CREATES CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS data at the school level in order to determine IMPROVEMENT which students require more support. Further, In the past, data were not being used effectively, sufficient data points must be stored in a system and emphasis was placed on compliance and to monitor student growth over time. States sanctions; however, ESSA is designed to put must determine which data are needed and more focus on improvement, not punishment reported at each level and for what purpose (Elgart, 2016). With ESSA, schools should not (Patrick et al., 2016). For example: What data be conducting research or reviewing outcome are needed at state level versus school/district data just to meet the requirements of a year- level? What information is of most importance end report. Instead, there needs to be a focus to students and their families? on continuous improvement. This requires All stakeholders need to understand the ongoing examination of evidence at both role and goals of the accountability system school and district levels (O’Day & Smith, 2016). including implementation method and timeline Evidence needs to extend beyond intervention for students and schools and system plan for outcomes; it is important to look at the process recognizing and honoring success (Patrick et http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/iss1/1 4 DOI: 10.20429/nyarj.2016.020101
Zinskie and Rea: The Every Student Succeeds Act al., 2016). It is also important that the public be schools identified as low-performing or schools kept informed regarding accountability efforts in where subgroups are struggling; this requires a transparent manner (Darling-Hammond et al., understanding data in order to create an 2016; Elgart, 2016). Weiss and McGuinn (2016) evidence-based plan for improvement (Darling- recommended that state educational agencies Hammond et al., 2016). To realize the promise (SEAs) make an investment in communication, of ESSA and help students and schools at risk so that two-way dialogue can occur between of underperforming, educators will need to stakeholders and the public; methods of become proficient in finding, evaluating, and communication should embrace both the applying evidence-based research for school traditional (public forums) and the innovative improvement. (social media). This process will require that educators Data dashboards are a common method of have sufficient knowledge and skills to evaluate providing access to accountability information the quality of research studies as well as (Cook-Harvey et al., 2016; Darling-Hammond appropriateness for implementation of these et al., 2016; O’Day & Smith, 2016). Darling- research findings within their own setting. Hammond et al. noted that “Data dashboards Educators will need a basic understanding of using multiple measures can track information how to locate quality, peer-reviewed sources, about inputs, processes, and outcomes to identify flaws in experimental design, assess inform a diagnosis of what is and what is not validity and reliability of measuring instruments, working in schools and for which students” (p. and interpret basic statistical data including 4). Cook-Harvey et al. indicated that access effect sizes. Schools and/or districts who to these data can assist schools, districts, and develop their own activities, strategies, and states in identifying and addressing opportunity interventions must know how to design gaps. and conduct an evaluation study in order to There are issues regarding access to data determine effectiveness. that might impact subgroups of students Once evidence is obtained, educators also and their families, which schools are trying need guidance on how to use this evidence to support. For example: Students and for decision-making, especially with regard to parents who are homeless or economically adapting to their local context (Epstein et al., disadvantaged might not have access to a 2016; Sparks, 2016). Dynarski (2015) noted computer, or parents of students with limited that translating research findings into practice is English language proficiency may have difficulty difficult, particularly if research was conducted with narrative reporting of data results. Also, on a small-scale. In addition, insufficient some rural schools and households may not information may be provided in a research have the internet capacity to handle the data- report regarding an effective intervention rich environment created by the accountability making it difficult to replicate in a different system. setting. Most schools or school districts do not have NECESSITATES EDUCATOR UNDERSTANDING designated employees to handle research and OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION evaluation; this is something that has been Educators are expected to use evidence from traditionally been exclusive to larger, well-funded high-quality research to inform implementation school districts (Dynarski, 2015). Epstein et al. of activities, strategies, and interventions at (2016) noted that policymakers should provide the classroom, school, and/or district levels. technical assistance to states to determine the Evidence also plays a role in instances for evidence on activities under consideration. Published by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, 2016 5
National Youth-At-Risk Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 1 Other options include bringing individuals from the use of technology and other media, the goal the outside (e.g., higher education faculty, of the program was to enhance and develop professional consultants) to assist with research students’ skills in critical thinking, metacognitive and/or to conduct professional development planning and monitoring, problem solving, and for educators, or selecting individuals from the reasoning. school and/or district to pursue graduate-level Dawn Tysinger, Jeffrey Tysinger, and Terry training in applied research, evaluation, and Diamanduros explore K-12 online educators’ assessment. perceptions of and preparedness for crises All of these initiatives will require funding. (e.g., suspected child/adolescent neglect or With ESSA’s focus on new research and abuse, suspected student suicidal ideation) that evidence-based programs, the U.S. government may impact individual students or the online is investing in this effort. Milner and Holston school environment. Results show that many (2015) reported that “the law authorizes $300 participants have no training for recognizing million in funding for the Education Innovation the warning signs of the various crisis events and Research (EIR) grants program by the end of in student online content. fiscal year 2020” (para. 6). Milner and Holston Natoya Hill Haskins and colleagues discuss also noted that new funds have been directed to how school counselors can use narrative therapy ESSA to support program evaluation. Educators to support students of color transitioning from an with requisite knowledge and skills in research, alternative school setting back into a traditional evaluation, and proposal writing will be needed school environment. With narrative therapy, for schools and/or districts to take advantage students share their stories and are empowered of this funding. to create a new narrative that represents Editors’ Note: To assist our readers, we who they want to be. The authors include an have listed resources in the Appendix that illustration demonstrating the application of the provide information for educators on how to use collaborative narrative therapy process. evidence, locate research findings on existing Michael Mucedola’s literature review interventions, and access funding opportunities. highlights disparities for students living in poverty and the impact that poverty has on PREVIEW OF ISSUE CONTENT students’ academic performance. Students Meca Williams-Johnson’s interview with Bettina living in poverty have specific needs that Love focuses on creating spaces that matter for must be accounted for in order to increase children. Love is well known for her publications performance, retention, and graduation rates and presentations on a range of topics including at all levels. The author describes community hip hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, outreach strategies that have the potential to hip hop feminism, and issues of diversity. In empower impoverished students to improve this interview, Love educates readers on how their learning and academic achievement. hip hop can influence, engage and motivate Desiree Vega, Erik Hines, Renae Mayes, and kids and how loving each child is foundational Paul Harris describe the barriers Latino students to reaching students. face in pursuit of educational opportunity and Antonio P. Gutierrez de Blume, Mete the important role school counselors and school Akcaoglu, and Wendy Chambers present their psychologists can play in preparing them for life findings from a Photography and Media Literacy after high school, whether it be participation in Project implemented as an after-school program the workforce or attendance at a postsecondary for fourth and fifth grade students in a rural institution. The authors provide policy and Title I school in southeast Georgia. Through practice recommendations for educators. http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/iss1/1 6 DOI: 10.20429/nyarj.2016.020101
Zinskie and Rea: The Every Student Succeeds Act Rajni Shankar-Brown, an internationally ESSA: Leveraging educational opportunity recognized scholar in the areas of poverty and through the Every Student Succeeds Act. Palo homelessness, diversity and inclusion, and Alto, CA: Learning Policy Institute. Retrieved social justice education, is featured in our Art from https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/ Corner. She shares her spoken word poem sites/default/files/product-files/Equity_ that depicts her concern and anguish regarding ESSA_REPORT.pdf schooling today as well as the small “morsels Darling-Hammond, L., Bae, S., Cook-Harvey, of light” that inspire hope for her children’s C. M., Lam, L., Mercer, C., Podolsky, A., educational future. & Stosich, E. L. (2016). Pathways to new accountability through the Every Student CONCLUSION Succeeds Act. Palo Alto, CA: Learning This is our third issue of the journal, and the Policy Institute. Retrieved from https:// journal editors continue to be impressed by the learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/ range of topics addressed by our contributors, f i l e s / p ro d u c t-f i l e s / Pat hways _ N ew- topics that are at the forefront of education Accountability_Through_Every_Student_ today. All articles in this issue focus on social- Succeeds_Act_04202016.pdf emotional and/or academic barriers that impact Dynarski, M. (2015). Using research to improve the education of vulnerable youth, and the education under the Every Student Succeeds authors provide strategies based on evidence Act. Retrieved from https://www.brookings. for improving students’ academic success. edu/research/using-research-to-improve- Consistent with ESSA, the National Youth-At- education-under-the-every-student- Risk Journal seeks to view students and schools succeeds-act/ in a holistic manner. As states move forward Elgart, M. A. (2016). Creating state with the development and implementation of accountability systems that help schools their new accountability plans required by ESSA, improve. Phi Delta Kappan, 98(1), 26–30. we encourage educators to use the journal as doi:10.1177/0031721716666050 both a resource and an outlet for evidence- Epstein, R. H., Gates, S. M., Arifkhanova, A., based information that improves practice and Bega, A., Chavez-Herrerias, E. R., Han, E., supports a quality learning experience for all . . . Wrabel, S. (2016). School leadership students. interventions under the Every Student Succeeds Act: Evidence review updated and expanded. Santa Monica, CA: RAND REFERENCES Corporation. Retrieved from http://www. Association for Supervision and Curriculum rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1550- Development. (2015). Comparison of the No 1.html Child Left Behind Act to the Every Students Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, Public Succeeds Act. Retrieved from http://www. Law No. 114-95, S.1177, 114th Cong. (2015). ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/policy/ESEA_ Retrieved from https://www.congress. ComparisonChart_FINAL.pdf gov/114/plaws/publ95/PLAW-114publ95. Chenoweth, K. (2016). ESSA offers changes pdf that can continue learning gains. García, E., & Weiss, E. (2016). Making whole- Phi Delta Kappan, 97(8), 38–42. child education the norm: How research doi:10.1177/0031721716647017 and policy initiatives can make social and Cook-Harvey, C. M., Darling-Hammond, L., Lam, emotional skills a focal point of children’s L., Mercer, C., & Roc, M. (2016). Equity and education. Washington, DC: Economic Policy Published by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, 2016 7
National Youth-At-Risk Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 1 Institute. Retrieved from http://www.epi. Rea, D. W., & Zinskie, C. D. (2015). Making org/files/pdf/107051.pdf the American dream a reality for all youth: Kendziora, K., & Yoder, N. (2016). When districts Introduction to the first issue of the National support and integrate social and emotional Youth-At-Risk Journal. National Youth-At- learning (SEL): Findings from an ongoing Risk Journal, 1(1), 1–10. Retrieved from evaluation of districtwide implementation of http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern. SEL. Washington, DC: American Institutes for edu/nyar/vol1/iss1/1/ Research. Retrieved from http://www.air. Schanzenbach, D. W., Bauer, L., & Mumford, org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/ M. (2016). Lessons for broadening school When-Districts-Support-and-Integrate-SEL- accountability under the Every Student October-2016.pdf Succeeds Act. Washington, DC: The Lam, L., Mercer, C., Podolsky, A., & Darling- Hamilton Project, Brookings. Retrieved Hammond, L. (2016). Evidence-based from http://www.hamiltonproject.org/ interventions: A guide for states. Palo Alto, assets/files/lessons_broadening_school_ CA: Learning Policy Institute. Retrieved from accountability_essa.pdf https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/ Sparks, S. D. (2016, September 15). Evidence- evidence-based-interventions based programs: New guidance details McGuinn, P. (2016). From No Child Left Behind to what ESSA means for research [Blog post]. the Every Student Succeeds Act: Federalism Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/ and the education legacy of the Obama edweek/inside-school-research/2016/09/ Administration. Publius, 46, 392–415. ESSA_education_research_evidence_ doi:10.1093/publius/pjw014 guidance_released.html Milner, J., & Holston, B. (2015). Building the Weiss, J., & McGuinn, P. (2016). States as change supply and demand for evidence in the Every agents under ESSA. Phi Delta Kappan, 97(8), Student Succeeds Act. Washington, DC: 28–33. doi:10.1177/0031721716647015 Urban Institute. Retrieved from http://www. West, M. R. (2016). Should non-cognitive urban.org/urban-wire/building-supply-and- skills be included in school accountability demand-evidence-every-student-succeeds- systems? Preliminary evidence from act California’s CORE districts. Retrieved O’Day, J. A., & Smith, M. S. (2016). Systemic from https://w w w.brookings.edu/ problems, systemic solutions: Equality and wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ quality in U.S. education. Washington, DC: EvidenceSpeaksWest031716.pdf American Institutes for Research. Retrieved Zinskie, C. D., & Rea, D. W. (2016). By from http://www.air.org/sites/default/ practitioners, for practitioners: Informing files/downloads/report/Equality-Quality- and empowering practice through Education-EPC-September-2016.pdf practitioner research. National Youth-At- Patrick, S., Worthen, M., Frost, D., & Gentz, Risk Journal, 1(2). Retrieved from http:// S. (2016). Meeting the Every Student digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/ Succeeds Act’s promise: State policy to vol1/iss2/1/ support personalized learning. Vienna, VA: International Association for K–12 ************************************** Online Learning (iNACOL). Retrieved Cordelia D. Zinskie, Editor, serves as a professor f r o m h t t p : / / w w w. i n a c o l . o r g / w p - of Educational Research at Georgia Southern content/uploads/2016/10/iNACOL_ University. She served as chair of the Department MeetingESSAsPromise.pdf of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/iss1/1 8 DOI: 10.20429/nyarj.2016.020101
Zinskie and Rea: The Every Student Succeeds Act from 2006 until 2013. She teaches graduate National Center for Research in Policy and courses in research methods (quantitative and Practice qualitative), statistics, and proposal writing, and This U.S. Department of Education funded her most recent research efforts have focused on center studies how educational leaders use online teaching and learning (e-learning). She research when making decisions and what can has significant experience mentoring graduate be done to make research findings more useful student research at the Ed.S. and Ed.D. levels and relevant for those leaders. and has served as an evaluator on a number of funded grants. Office of Innovation and Improvement This website highlights available grant Dan W. Rea, Founding Editor, is currently a opportunities, including the Education professor of Educational Psychology at Georgia Innovation and Research (EIR) Program. The Southern University in the Department of EIR Program provides funding for evidence- Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading. He has based, field-initiated innovations designed to worked as a secondary mathematics teacher improve student achievement and attainment in inner-city and alternative Title I schools for high-need students. and as an assistant and associate professor of educational psychology respectively at What Works Clearinghouse Doane College, Nebraska and University of The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reviews Wisconsin at Whitewater. Since 1994, he has evidence of effectiveness of programs, policies, served as a co-chair of the National Youth- or practices with the goal of helping schools At-Risk Conference Savannah and published make evidence-based decisions. Resources numerous articles and edited books on fostering available on this website include intervention the well-being of youth placed at risk, motivating reports, single study reviews, and practice student underachievers, and building learning guides. communities in schools. ************************************** U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Non- Appendix regulatory guidance: Using evidence to strengthen Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) education investments. Washington, DC: Author. Resources for Educators Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/ elsec/leg/essa/guidanceuseseinvestment.pdf Every Student Succeeds Act The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) website This guidance document is designed to help SEAs, includes an overview of ESSA, FAQs about ESSA, LEAs, schools, educators, partner organizations, and links to ESSA resources, including the full and other stakeholders successfully choose text of ESSA. and implement interventions that improve outcomes for students. Institute of Education Sciences The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the Social Media: Educators can find and/or share statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the information and dialogue with others using U.S. Department of Education. This site provides social media platforms such as Twitter and scientific evidence, in a useful and accessible Facebook. Use the hashtag #ESSA to contribute format, that can help educators, policymakers to and follow these discussions. and stakeholders improve outcomes for all students. Published by Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, 2016 9
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