Governor Bentley Establishes State Implementation Committee for Every Student Succeeds Act

MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced he has established a state implementation committee for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act, and was signed into law on December 10, 2015. The legislation shifts the power of education from the federal government and returns power and control to the states to determine best practices for the implementation of academic standards, testing, accountability, school improvement and teacher quality.

The law requires each state to develop a state plan for implementing the legislation.

“Every state, school and classroom needs the certainty and fairness of a flexible education law,” Governor Bentley said. “I support the Every Student Succeeds Act because it provides governors a central role in implementation and governance and gives us the flexibility to shape our schools and prepare our students from early childhood into the workforce. This legislation is the greatest devolution of federal powers to the state in 25 years. I challenge Alabama’s implementation committee to create a plan that will continue to move Alabama’s education system forward while keeping in mind the needs of the students being taught.”

The Alabama ESSA Committee will consist of the following members or their designee.

  • Two vice chairs, appointed by the Superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education
  • Two appointments by each Alabama State Board of Education member, excluding the Governor
  • The Secretary, Department of Early Childhood Education
  • The Education Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
  • Director, Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs
  • Three representatives in workforce development programs or related entities, appointed by the Governor
  • A representative of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, appointed by the Governor
  • One member from the Alabama Senate, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem
  • One member from the Alabama House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • Additional members as needed, appointed by the Governor

The Committee will submit the final ESSA plan by December 1, 2016.

A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here.

Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov