What the new federal education law means for one group
Nora Rumbaugh, a second-grader at Valley View Elementary School, uses one of the new stand up desks while completing her class work. She can also rest on the wiggle stool behind her. Her teacher, Cheryl Johnson, sought a grant from the York Suburban Education Foundation to purchase the desks.(Photo: Jason Plotkin, Daily Record)
(Harrisburg) — President Obama recently signed a new federal education law to replace the long-standing No Child Left Behind, and some are just starting to figure out what the changes actually mean.
The Every Student Succeeds Act, also known as ESSA, is a re-make of No Child Left Behind.
It stops much of the accountability that came attached to the law signed by President George W. Bush, and restores more control to states.
The measure also allows groups like “Communities in Schools” to compete for federal grants.
They help kids get food, health care and school supplies, and are already working in York City schools.
Pennsylvania chapter President Ryan Riley says he’s thrilled at the opportunity to try to win federal money.
“For the first time in the past decade, we’re now seeing attention being paid to students who were thought of well just compete with other students. Why can’t you improve your grades? Why can’t we incentive your teachers?” says Riley.
Riley says Communities in Schools has already helped boost the graduation rate for the children it works with in York.
“What that opportunity spells out and the details are yet to be worked out among the states and among the local LEAs.”
He hopes its track record will help make a case that it should receive federal money to expand.
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