Governor’s ESSA Committee Seeks Community Input for Education Plan

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley emphasizes a point while visiting a third grade classroom at Riverchase Elementary School, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in Hoover. He watched as the teacher interacted with students on the different ways they reached their solution to a math problem. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley emphasizes a point while visiting a third grade classroom at Riverchase Elementary School, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in Hoover. He watched as the teacher interacted with students on the different ways they reached their solution to a math problem. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)

By: Governor's Press Office

MONTGOMERY (Governor’s Office) — Parents, teachers, students and members of the public will soon be able to voice opinions and concerns toward the development of Alabama’s education plan. In partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, leadership of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Implementation Committee is hosting eight community engagement sessions throughout the state to discuss the progress of the plan and to gather input from those of which the plan will impact the most.

“The state plan impacts every child, educator and parent,” Jeana Ross, chair of the ESSA Implementation Committee and secretary of the Department of Early Childhood Education, said. “Tours to engage the public in the process are essential. Feedback from the tours will be given to the committee as a plan is developed, and that feedback will inform how we approach and deliver education to students in public elementary and secondary schools across the state.”

The ESSA is the reauthorized federal law that grants education authority back to that states that No Child Left Behind previously took away. Through Executive Order 16, Governor Robert Bentley formed the 32-member ESSA Implementation Committee to work with the State Department of Education on creating the ESSA State Plan. With the flexibility afforded to the states through the new law, Alabama’s ESSA education plan will support the vision and mission outlined in the Alabama State Department of Education’s Plan 2020.

The Department of Education, on Monday, released six of the eight dates, times and locations of the engagement tours, with each session taking place in one of the eight State Board of Education districts. The announcement of the ESSA Community Engagement Tour details comes shortly after Governor Bentley amended the ESSA State Plan deadline from December 1, 2016 to January 19, 2017.

“The state plan is the central road map for our education system,” Governor Bentley said. “We must make sure that we are getting it right the first time, that development of the plan is thorough and accurate and involves the opinions of educational leaders and stakeholders across the state.”

The first public engagement session is set for August 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. The sessions will include discussion among a panel of committee leaders, members and representation from the department, with a question and answer portion at the end of each meeting.

“The ESSA Community Engagement Tour will provide the citizens of this great state with an opportunity to learn about the new law and share their views, vision and expectations,” said Shanthia Washington, vice chair of the ESSA Implementation Committee, and director of the Office of Student Learning with the Alabama State Department of Education.

For updates regarding the community engagement sessions, as well as the executive order establishing the committee and other details, visit the Governor’s ESSA webpage at: governor.alabama.gov/essa.

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