Both an Independent Peer Review of Michigan’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and The U.S. Department of Education Found the Plan Lacking in Critical Details
Matt McCullough, Teacher & Director of Innovation at Schoolcraft Community Schools
(Schoolcraft, MI, Wednesday, January 24, 2018) – Michigan’s revised Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in November—but there is much room for improvement, especially as the state implements its plan.
Michigan submitted its plan in April 2017 for the first ESSA deadline, but both an independent peer review of the plan and the U.S. Department of Education found the plan lacking in critical details.
Of the nine elements evaluated by the independent peer reviewers, Michigan’s original plan lacked fundamental information in nearly every category. The state received its highest score – 3 out of 5 – in the Standards & Assessments category.
Secretary DeVos has urged Michigan’s leaders to not accept the plan as final, but “to continue to find new and innovative ways to help students succeed.”
To view Michigan’s approved ESSA plan, click here.
The full analysis of Michigan’s original plan, made available by Bellwether Education Partners and the Collaborative for Student Success, is available online.
Weaknesses in Michigan’s plan included indecision over which accountability system the state would use and how it would identify and support struggling schools. While the revised plan is now in compliance with the law, concerns remain that the current plan does not include the details needed to improve student outcomes.
Michigan places significant weight on measuring learning gains. Also, Michigan has processes in place for continually improving its system, which speaks to its commitment to improvement.