Michigan Continues Work on Education Plan

Liz Gullett

Aug 04, 2017

Michigan’s plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) moved a step closer this week following a phone call between the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and officials from the U.S. Department of Education. Following months of public input, this past spring MDE submitted its final plan for meeting the requirements of ESSA, which replaced the previous No Child Left Behind Act. The ESSA was signed into law in December 2015, shifting from broad federal oversight to greater flexibility and decision-making at the state and local levels. The law requires states to develop plans that address standards, assessments, school and district accountability, and special help for struggling schools.

Based on this week’s phone call, the U.S. Department of Education will finalize its feedback letter, outlining parts of the Michigan plan that need more detail. That letter is not the final determination of the state’s plan, just feedback and peer review that MDE can consider whilst preparing its final submission.

According to State Superintendent Brian Whiston, Michigan’s plan has a “whole child” focus; will have less student testing; focuses on student academic growth; institutes a Partnership Model for improving low-performing schools; has a school accountability system tied to the Top 10 in 10 strategies; gives schools more flexibility on how they choose to improve; and gives schools greater ownership in how they follow their own plans.

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