Every Student Succeeds Act conversation set at Cape Nov. 21

The Delaware Department of Education will host a community conversation from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21, to collect public input on the first draft of the state's plan under the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

In December 2015, Congress reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the main federal law governing public education. The Every Student Succeeds Act replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. As part of NCLB, Delaware is one of the 43 states operating under ESEA Flexibility.

The new act gives states more flexibility and provides more state and local control over the accountability process. ESSA implementation will begin during the 2017-18 school year. The 2016-17 school year provides the opportunity to consult with stakeholders, develop Delaware's plan and submit the plan to the U.S. Department of Education for approval.

A first round of community conversations and a series of online surveys in September provided public input that is informing the first draft of the state's plan, which will be posted online on the state's ESSA website. The second round of community conversations will allow department leaders to receive feedback on the draft. Additional online surveys also will be posted later this fall.

In addition to the larger community conversations, department leaders are continuing to collect input through a series of stakeholder consultation meetings. A governor's advisory committee and discussion groups on the major aspects of the plan also will be convened in the coming months. One discussion group is focusing on technical topics related to measures of school success and reporting. The second group is focusing on provisions for student and school supports. The discussion groups provide information to the advisory group.

Following the second round of conversations, the department will release a second draft of the plan by Saturday, Dec. 31. Additional comments will be taken through February. The state will submit its plan to the U.S. Department of Education for approval by Monday, March 6.

To submit feedback online, go to ESSAStatePlan@doe.k12.de.us. For more information, go to www.doe.k12.de.us/ESSA.