ESSA Accountability Designations
The Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, the main federal law for K-12 public education, aims to ensure all children get a quality education. The law requires that states hold public schools accountable for how students achieve. ESSA does give states flexibility—their accountability systems can measure much more than just test scores.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has established a new set of indicators to measure school performance. NYSED developed these indicators with the input of thousands of people statewide—parents, educators, and experts. The new indicators include:
- student academic achievement;
- student growth and school progress;
- progress of English language learners;
- chronic absenteeism; and
- for high schools, graduation rates and preparing students for college, career and civic engagement.
Schools and districts earned a score for all students and for student subgroups. Such subgroups include members of racial and ethnic groups, low-income students, students with disabilities and English language learners. These levels are used to determine whether a district is a Good Standing District or a Target District and whether a school is in Good Standing or identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement or Targeted Support and Improvement.
Participation Rate Improvement Plan
Participation Rate Improvement Plan Webinar 2019-20 - March 10, 2020
Fact sheets on the new accountability system are available for parents and teachers. The fact sheet for parents is available in 11 languages.
Resources for Schools
2019-20 Charter School DCIP Equivalency Form
A charter school identified as a CSI or TSI school shall take such actions as are required by its charter authorizer pursuant to Article 56 of the Education Law consistent with the charter agreement that each charter school has with its charter authorizer. CSI charter schools receiving Title I funds must also submit a Charter School District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP) Equivalency Form to the Department by June 29, 2020.