Saturday, March 26, 2016

How does “Every Student Succeeded Act” influence our students



Couple of months ago I received a notice from my kid’s school, saying that the school is going to schedule a standardized test for all grades (includes kindergarten) students. I knew that a test is good for parents to have a comprehensive understanding about how their kids are doing in school, but I was still surprised then because I have never thought it necessary for 5 years old kindergarten student to attend any test, no matter how important it is. But after I learn about the ESSA (Every Student Succeeded Act), my attitude toward the test changes from opposition to support.
As a non-America grownup, I know little about any education acts in the US until one day my kids attends local school and I find a teaching job. Now I get the opportunity to learn thoroughly about different acts. I find many topics attract me, like bilingual education, college affordability. But today I would like to talk about the ESSA, from both angles as parent and teacher. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), another milestone in education act in American history was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015[1]. The law replaced its unpopular predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Like the No Child Left Behind Act, ESSA is a re-authorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which established the American federal government's expanded role in funding public education[2]. Compared to the NCLB, the ESSA devolves more power of decisions to states. As the NEANational Education Association says: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) returns decision making for our nation’s education back where it belongs - in the hands of local educators, parents and communities - while keeping the focus on students most in need[3]. It focuses on reducing federal oversight of education and increasing state flexibility in the use of funds. Indeed, it’s time to make some changes when the minuses of the NCLB arise. As a teacher I do object to evaluating teachers and schools by gruffly using a one - size - fits – all test. Luckily in the ESSA, students’ comprehensive development no longer only relies on the test score. Teachers now have more times focus on innovations instead of dealing with the test – oriented education system. Besides federal test result is meaningless and unfair by considering different educational level in different states. As parent, I believe a test standard made by the state or even by local school district would be more useful and meaningful to the students.
The ESSA makes me think about the education situation in my country China. Almost all the vital educational acts make by the Ministration of Education Department. All provinces execute the acts without changing anything. Taking the College Entrance Exam for example, every province no matter how advanced or backward in educational level uses the same standardized test to judge a student’s academic level. Fortunately, the government realizes the disadvantage of central control. Now local education department can have the final decision in many fields, such as what text books students use, how to evaluate teachers and what test students take. It’s great step in educational innovation. I believe more progress will be made in the long run.



References
 
1. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from
2. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Student_Succeeds_Act#cite_note-Vox:_explainer-2
3. ESSA Implementation Begins. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from
4. ESSA Implementation Begins. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from http://www.nea.org/home/65276.htm
5. The innovation and development of education in China. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/40557/134502/141296/





  

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