Minnesota
Department of Education releases draft state ESSA plan for public comment
Roseville, MN- Today
the Minnesota Department of Education posted its draft state plan for complying
and implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s new pre-K
through grade 12 education law. The department is seeking public comment on the
draft plan, and will hold a series of public meetings later this month to
review the plan and hear from stakeholders.
The Every Student Succeeds Act, signed in December 2015,
reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, previously known as No
Child Left Behind, and empowers states to develop systems and policies that
place a sharp focus on continuous improvement for all students, and ensuring
all students have what they need to succeed and that all teachers and
administrators have supports in place to deliver on that promise.
ESSA gives states and districts additional flexibility and
decision-making power. The law requires states to develop plans that address
standards, assessments, school and district accountability, support for
struggling schools, support for educators, and ensuring a well-rounded
education for all students that prepares them for career and college.
The
Minnesota Department of Education worked with a diverse group of stakeholders,
including consultation with Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations, to shape the state’s
ESSA plan. Over the course of 20 months, the department held nearly 300
meetings and public events throughout the state to educate, listen and receive
valuable input from Minnesota citizens. Students, parents, educators,
education partners, advocacy organizations, business leaders, community members
and members of the public articulated a crucial need for equity in the state plan, so that
all students have access to the opportunity to learn and develop to their
fullest potential.
Minnesota’s plan is available on the department’s ESSA webpage. An executive summary is also available,
which articulates the state’s vision and highlights of the full plan. The
public comment period runs from August 1 to August 31, and the final plan will
be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education on September 18.
Comments, questions or recommendations concerning
Minnesota’s draft state plan can be submitted by email to mde.essa@state.mn.us. All interested members of the public are encouraged to submit input. A
schedule of upcoming public meetings is below. Please register to attend any of
the regional meetings online at:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3728223/ESSA-Regional-Meeting-Registration-August-2017.
2017 Minnesota Draft ESSA State Plan Public Meetings
Tuesday, August 15,
Wilder Foundation Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 16
John Marshall High School Auditorium, Rochester, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 17
West High School Auditorium, Mankato, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
Monday, August 21
Moorhead High School Auditorium, Moorhead, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 22
Resource Training and Education, Sartell, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 23
Denfeld High School, Duluth, MN
6-7:30 p.m.
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