ESSA / ESEA

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law on December 10, 2015, and represents good news for our nation’s schools.  The previous version of the law, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, was enacted in 2002.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. ESSA is meant to ensure that all students have equitable access to high-quality educational resources and opportunities, as well as to close educational achievement gaps.

The Burlington County Institute of Technology is a participating local education agency (LEA) working on behalf of our students. Our Westampton and Medford Campuses receive Title I, Title II, and Title IV funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Title I, Part A supports programs and resources for disadvantaged students. Title I, Part A funding is designed to aid districts in closing the achievement gap through programs and resources. Title II, Part A provides resources for improving teacher and principal quality. It focuses on preparing, training and recruiting high-quality teachers and principals. Title IV is designed to promote safe and healthy schools and well-rounded educational opportunities.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Accountability Profiles

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was passed in December 2015 with bipartisan congressional support. It replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 and reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. Despite some key changes in the law, the purpose remains the same: to ensure all students have equitable access to high-quality educational resources and opportunities, and to close educational achievement gaps.

As part of the reauthorization, all states were required to develop a state plan for how states will identify what schools are in need of the most comprehensive and targeted support. Throughout the 2016-2017 school year stakeholders from across the state collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to develop, within the legal confines of ESSA, the ESSA accountability system described in this document.

Annually, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) issues Accountability Profiles that enable schools and districts to review their progress toward achieving the intent of the law. School and district data for specific indicators are compared to annual targets and standards and reported by student group to identify gaps.

NJDOE ESSA Accountability Profiles Companion Guides can be found on the NJDOE website