Every Student Succeeds Act —
ISBE Statewide Listening Tour Round #2
Illinois Education Association Member Guidance
ISBE Listening Tour Information
On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law, reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act through fiscal year 2020, and replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
The Every Student Succeeds Act shifts greater authority for academic standards, school accountability, and education policy back to states, school districts, teachers, and parents, creating a more balanced role for the federal government in education policy.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) must now develop an ESSA implementation plan with the help of teachers, parents, school administrators, and other stakeholders. To gather feedback from these stakeholders, ISBE is hosting a series of statewide listening tours: http://www.isbe.net/essa
To ensure that your voice is heard, the IEA encourages members to attend the listening tour or otherwise share their ideas on how this important new law should be implemented in Illinois.
The next listening tour session is this coming Tuesday, September 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at Freeport High School, 701 W. Mosely Street, Freeport. This is the only listening tour session scheduled for the north central Illinois region, unfortunately. Your suggestions and ideas regarding ESSA implementation in Illinois can also be emailed to the ISBE (essa@isbe.net).
The attached IEA guidance document has been developed to address the design of a new state-designed accountability system. The IEA Executive Committee has identified this topic as a priority and wants to ensure our members have the information they need to respond to the proposals of the ISBE and actively participate in the statewide listening tour.
IEA Research Department and Program Development staff members Larry Frank and Diana Zaleski are available to assist any IEA members who are able and willing to speak at these ISBE listening tour sessions.
If you are interested in participating in a listening tour session you can contact your UniServ Director and we will forward your contact information on to Larry and Diana.
Sinnissippi IEA Tri-Regional Office 