Every Student Succeeds Act

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Overview

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and was signed into law on December 10, 2015. ESSA includes provisions that will help to ensure success for students and schools, such as the following.

The approved October 2020 Consolidated State Plan can be accessed through the links below.

Federal Accountability

Under ESSA, schools are identified for support and improvement based on multiple performance indicators.

  • Academic Indicators
  • School quality indicators
  • Student success indicators

Refer to Federal Accountability to learn more about the federal identification process.

Microgrants Available for Schools

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce a microgrant opportunity for school divisions to support educating families in removing barriers to education, specifically focusing on cell phone addictions and mental health challenges related to social media. These parent education programs can also support chronic absenteeism, social media, bullying and hazing. The school-based grant has been referenced as a support to the implementation of Executive Order 33. Parent education programs should focus on community conversations and removing student barriers to learning. 

The VDOE will work through the school division’s designated contact person, as provided by the division, for all matters related to the application, contacts, negotiations, and notifications. Applicants submitting proposals that are not awarded by the VDOE will be notified in writing. The division’s designated contact person should complete the application.  The deadline for grant proposals is October 3, 2024

For additional information, please contact Melissa Duval, Executive Director of Parental Engagement, melissa.rickey@doe.virginia.gov.

24-25 National Distinguished Schools

  • Application Due Date Extended to October 25, 2024

The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) to recognize qualifying schools receiving federal funding for positive educational advances and outstanding academic achievement in education. Only two schools per state are selected as National ESEA Distinguished Schools. Each state may select a maximum of two qualifying schools with no more than one school per category:

  • Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years
  • Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups
  • Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners)

Resources