Key Policy Letters Signed by the Education Secretary or Deputy Secretary
Archived Information




Dear Colleagues:

Today President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). This new bipartisan law, which will replace the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, is good news for our nation’s schools and students. The ESSA includes many of the key reforms we have called on Congress to enact since the beginning of the Administration and that many of you have pioneered in recent years on your own and in implementing ESEA flexibility.  It helps to ensure educational opportunity for all students by:

We are all taking a moment today to celebrate this momentous step forward and recognize that in the weeks and months to come there is much work to be done. We will work closely with you and your staffs to ensure a smooth transition to this new law. We will work together to develop solutions to the many important policy and implementation decisions that will arise, and will work swiftly to provide answers to the many questions we know you will have. You can find the latest information at www.ed.gov/essa, and can ask questions through your contact in our Office of State Support, or by e-mailing us at essa.questions@ed.gov.

Congress and President Obama have worked together to enact a law that prioritizes both excellence and equity. It is now up to all of us to ensure that it lives up to its promise for America's students and for our future. We are excited to continue building strong Federal-State partnerships under this new law to increase educational opportunity and improve outcomes for all students.

Sincerely,

/s/
/s/
Arne Duncan
John B. King, Jr.
Secretary of Education
Principal Senior Advisor, Delegated Duties of the Deputy Secretary


Last Modified: 03/02/2017