What is a fundamental requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) regarding assessment systems?

The fundamental requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) revolves around the need for states to develop comprehensive systems that encompass performance goals and indicators of school quality. ESSA emphasizes the importance of not only academic assessment but also additional measures that reflect the overall effectiveness of schools. This includes establishing clear goals that can help guide educational progress and ensure equity for all students.

Creating these performance goals and indicators allows for a broader understanding of what constitutes school quality and effectiveness. They help to gauge how well a school is supporting its students, addressing various factors that contribute to student learning beyond standardized test scores. By requiring states to create these systems, ESSA aims to foster a more holistic approach to education, rather than relying solely on test scores to evaluate school performance.

This aligns with the spirit of ESSA, which seeks to empower states and local authorities in shaping their educational systems in ways that respond to their unique contexts and challenges. This requirement underscores the act's focus on meaningful accountability that goes beyond mere compliance with national standards or testing mandates.