On Thursday, President Barack Obama capped a years-long congressional negotiatoin when he signed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which is the new version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which was the new version of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The new law gives states increased flexibility to design accountability systems, academic interventions and supports for students and loosens some of the strings tied to the use of federal funds. Maine has already achieved some of those provisions with a waiver it won earlier this year that distanced the state from the old version of the law.
Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley said his department will be clarifying what the new law means for Maine between now and when the state’s waiver expires in August 2016.
“It is clear the feds will no longer dictate specific standards, shifting many of these and related responsibilities to the state and local communities,” said Beardsley in a written statement. “At the same time, states must continue testing Maine students every year and continue placing extra effort in helping Maine’s most disadvantaged students.”
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