WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today released a statement following the release of the revised state plan template under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):
“Governors’ review of ESSA state plans reflects necessary checks and balances at the state level to ensure educational equity and local control of education. Today the U.S. Department of Education ultimately:
- Reaffirmed the role of governors in ESSA;
- Included governors and NGA in the process to marry existing state plans with the revised template;
- Guaranteed governors’ continued participation throughout the peer and secretarial review process; and
- Ensured governors have ample time to review each state plan and make certain it is a reflection of the state’s vision for education.
Governors are concerned that the Department’s revised template fails to prioritize proper stakeholder engagement, even though it is a core requirement within the law. NGA has led national efforts to encourage significant input from classroom teachers, parents, superintendents, principals and school boards. We will not waver as a result of this development.
Across the country, governors like Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will continue to provide a forum for stakeholders’ voices so states can sufficiently develop their plans and determine the future of the collective education system.”
