Federal ESSA law mandates GT data reporting
President Obama signed new federal legislation in December 2015 that replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB). UPDATE: A public comment period is in progress through August 1, 2016. – Learn more
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), introduces new requirements to report student achievement, and redefines the terms of Title I funding to include GT learners in under-served populations.
“ESEA (ESSA) Re-authorization marks the first time that Congress makes clear that Title I funds may be used to identify and serve gifted students, which will ensure that high-ability students from low-income families and other under-served populations receive the challenging instruction that they require to achieve their potential.” – NAGC Executive Director M. René Islas
ESSA’s New Provisions
Applications for Title I and other formula grants will begin July 1, 2016; other federal grant programs will go into effect in October 2016. State accountability plans will go into effect in the 2017-2018 school year.
Key for school districts and GT learners in this new federal legislation (see Q&A .pdf link below):
- Both Districts and States will be required to collect, disaggregate, and report student achievement data at each achievement level.
- Districts that receive Title II professional development (PD) funds must use the money to address the learning needs of all students, with specific ESSA mention that “all students” includes gifted and talented students; PD extends to gifted education-specific instructional practices, such as enrichment, acceleration, and curriculum compacting.
- Districts may now use Title I funds to identify and serve gifted and talented students.
Local impact for Minnesota charter schools will emerge as the State Department of Education takes steps to define new reporting requirements within ESSA.
NAGC’s ESSA Resources
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) makes new resources available that highlight new ESSA changes for GT learners.
- NAGC Q&A about ESSA requirements (.pdf) for GT identification, student growth reporting, and use of Title I funds for under-served GT student populations
- VIDEO: NAGC Federal Policy Briefing: Every Student Succeeds Act (YouTube, 12/17/16)
- NAGC letter to US Dept of Education re: ESSA and Title I provisions (.pdf) as pertain to GT learners