The Every Student Succeeds Act significantly improves upon No Child Left Behind by, among other things, giving more power back to states and local schools. We’re working to help policymakers and educators take advantage of the law’s new flexibility, especially when it comes to creating smarter school accountability systems, prioritizing the needs of high-achieving low-income students, and encouraging the adoption of content-rich curricula.
Resources:
- Rating the Ratings: An Analysis of the 51 ESSA Accountability Plans
- Leveraging ESSA to Support Quality-School Growth
- Great ideas from our ESSA Accountability Design Competition
- What ESSA means for high-achieving students
- ESSA and a content-rich education
- ESSA and parental choice
Mixed-achievement math classrooms are a net negative
Julia Hayes 6.4.2026
NationalFlypaper
Broad support, barely funded: The paradox of advanced education in America
Jonathan Plucker, Alicia Anderson, Matthew Makel, Shaun M. Dougherty 6.3.2026
NationalFlypaper
Why is Gen Z obsessed with technology?
Jill Hoppe, Elainah Elkins 5.29.2026
NationalFlypaper
The diminishing power of teacher unions
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Michael J. Petrilli 5.28.2026
NationalFlypaper
Flawed curricular materials aren’t the only reason students aren’t reading enough whole books
Meredith Coffey, Ph.D. 5.28.2026
NationalFlypaper
If school boards approve curriculum, they should understand it
Julia Hayes 5.22.2026
NationalFlypaper
The Nation’s Report Card gets an overdue upgrade
Chester E. Finn, Jr. 5.21.2026
NationalFlypaper
Everyone loves recess, but should states mandate it?
Dale Chu 5.21.2026
NationalFlypaper
Does “a portrait of a graduate” downplay rigorous academic expectations?
Michael J. Petrilli 5.21.2026
NationalFlypaper
Can schools prepare graduates for an uncertain future?
Alicia Anderson 5.21.2026
NationalFlypaper
Can sports reduce chronic absenteeism? Evidence from Indiana
Julia Hayes 5.21.2026
NationalFlypaper