Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

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The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law on December 10, 2015. The U.S. Department of Education approved Maryland's ESSA plan on January 16, 2018. The plan sets into place improvement targets for schools and systems, and outlines assistance programs for schools not meeting the grade. Maryland developed its ESSA plan after unprecedented outreach to citizens across the State.

Flexibility in K-12 Education Funding

Authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Approved for Maryland

Due to the extraordinary circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures, the U.S. Department of Education offered Flexibility for States in K-12 Education Funding, in particular the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). This flexibility is authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.   On April 14, 2020, Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, submitted Maryland’s waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education for the allowable flexibility and received approval.

Through these waivers, Maryland is able to approve a local school system to carry over more than 15 percent of its Title I, Part A Improving Academic Improvement for the Disadvantaged Grant funds, even if the school system had received approval to exceed this limitation in the past three years. Maryland is able to extend for itself and its local school systems the period of availability of FY 2018 funds for programs included in Maryland’s consolidated State plan to allow additional time to obligate those funds. Maryland is able to permit a school system to use its Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant funds to best meet its needs without regard to content-area spending requirements, spending limits on technology infrastructure, or completing a needs assessment. Finally, by waiving the definition of professional development, Maryland and the local school systems will be able to conduct time-sensitive, one-time, or stand-alone professional development focused on supporting educators to provide effective distance learning.

• COVID Fiscal Waiver letter
• COVID Fiscal Waiver Template

Flexibility for States on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Assessment and Accountability Requirements

Due to the extraordinary circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures, the U.S. Department of Education offered Flexibility for States on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Assessment and Accountability Requirements. The letter from the U.S. Department of Education can be found at:  https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/200320.html.  On March 24, 2020, Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, submitted Maryland’s waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education for the allowable Flexibility. Following this request, Dr. Salmon received the official letter of approval dated March 27, 2020, from the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education. A copy of each letter is available for review.

Through the waiver, Maryland will not need to administer its statewide assessments to all students in the 2019-2020 school year, or make annual accountability determinations, identify schools for support and improvement, or provide data on Maryland’s and local report cards for assessment and accountability information based on the 2019-2020 data.

• Letter to USDE Waiver Request 03 27 2020
• MD Covid19 Waiver Response 03 27 2020

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan Final

Maryland revised its Consolidated State Plan to amend the Annual Measurable Objectives based on 2016-2017 performance data.  The amendment was approved August 30, 2018.

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan Final
(Revised September 17, 2018)

Maryland revised its Consolidated State Planto amend the exit criteria for English Language Learners. The amendment was approved on May 23, 2018.

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan Final
(Revised) January 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Education's Site    for Maryland's ESSA Plan

Contact:
Mary Gable
Assistant State Superintendent
Division of Student Support, Academic Enrichment & Educational Policy
410-767-0472
mary.gable@maryland.gov