The State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Education are in the process of implementing a new federal education law by the middle of next year that will replace the contentious “No Child Left Behind” law.
The Illinois State Board of Education will visit Galesburg on Wednesday to receive feedback from the public on the “Every Student Succeeds” law that was approved last year.
ESSA essentially redefines how schools stay accountable under state and federal standards, but specific components include a stronger focus on student homelessness and better measuring the performance of low income, minority and English language learning students.
At other stops around the state this year, public comments have ranged from a need to combat chronic absences among some students to improving college and career readiness.
Opponents of ESSA say the law won’t make enough of an impact on the targeted students. They also contend that a provision to repeal federal yearly progress reports will give states funding to develop their own standards without enough oversight.
The stop in Galesburg is a part of ISBE’s third statewide “listening tour.” The meeting will be at Silas Willard Elementary School starting at 5 p.m.
