Today, Bellwether Education Partners released the results of its independent peer review of state ESSA plans submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in April 2017. Chiefs for Change issued the following statement in response to those results:
We are heartened to see that the top-rated plans are from our member states, followed closely by other states in the Chiefs for Change ESSA Workgroup. This is a testament to the incredibly hard work being led by state Chiefs to develop plans that will meaningfully advance student outcomes and equity. Of the 17 plans reviewed, the four highest-rated states were CFC members New Mexico, Louisiana, Nevada, and Tennessee. Reviewers lauded these states for their clear visions and goals, as well as their strong commitment to rigorous standards and assessments. Given the positive peer feedback on many state plans, we are hopeful that the U.S. Department of Education provides timely approval to strong plans that adhere to ESSA requirements. We’re pleased with how well our states fared in this review, but we know that a strong plan is only the beginning. The real work comes as Chiefs and their teams move into implementation, and we look forward to continuing to support them in this important work ahead.
ABOUT CHIEFS FOR CHANGE
Chiefs for Change is a coalition of state and district education Chiefs dedicated to excellence and equity for all students. Chiefs for Change members lead education systems serving 5.3 million students, 350,000 teachers, and 10,000 schools.
