In the news:  The Senate and the House of Representatives passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). President Obama made it official by signing the new K-12 education bill into law.

Some advocates are excited because: The criterion for accountability has been broadened to include student engagement, educator engagement, and school climate and safety as indicators of success; states will be required to collect data on school quality (e.g., bullying/harassment, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, etc.); and funding for “safe and healthy” initiatives will soon follow.

For more on this topic, read:

• “WHITE HOUSE REPORT: The Every Student Succeeds Act”
• “Obama signs new K-12 education law that ends No Child Left Behind” – The Washington Post
• “The Every Student Succeeds Act vs. No Child Left Behind: What’s changed?” – USA Today