Full Draft of Ohio’s State ESSA Plan Released

After a year of engaging with more than 15,000 of Ohio’s educators, parents and community members about their vision for our state’s educational system, the Ohio Department of Education released the full draft plan and technical submission of Ohio’s State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

This full draft plan reflects the draft plan overview document and provides further details. The draft overview can be found by clicking here.

“We’ve already received many comments from Ohio’s educators, parents and community members on the draft overview,” said Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction. “With everyone’s continued engagement, we’ll make significant strides in improving opportunities and outcomes for the students in our state.”

The full plan and technical document covers several important aspects of Ohio’s education system, including Academic Standards, Assessments, Accountability and School Improvement, among others. Most readers will still find the overview document the best source of information for what the state proposes.

The Ohio Department of Education invites the public to review and comment on the plan. The comment period will be open through March 6. Input will continue to be incorporated throughout the development of the final Ohio plan and technical submission. Once edits are made based on the comments received, the full draft plan and technical document will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in April.

The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into federal law on Dec. 10, 2015, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act. This long-awaited legislation represents a shift from broad federal oversight of primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision-making at the state and local levels. ESSA requires states to develop plans that address standards, assessments, school and district accountability, and special help for struggling schools.