CCSSO [Council of Chief State School Officers] recently convened a wide range of stakeholders through the Certification and Licensure Collective (CLC) to support states to improve certification and licensure systems, including initial licensure, renewal, and reciprocity or teacher mobility. Educator micro-credentials are a critical part of this…

Any body of research evolves over time. Previous understandings become more nuanced, ideas are supported or rebuked, and, eventually we arrive at a clearer view of the issue. The research on score comparability across computerized devices is no exception. CCSSO [Council of Chief State School Officers] and the Center for Assessment have published…

State education agencies (SEAs) are working to deliver equitable education opportunities to every student, and that can require a hard look at how the agency is managing capacity, coherence, and equity in pursuit of this work. To build capacity, SEAs are taking stock not only of how they are allocating existing resources but also examining how…

The statement "The only thing that is constant is change" is an apt description of state accountability systems over the past few years. With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), many states have significantly refined their existing school accountability systems or completely redesigned new systems in recent years. The…

Education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers are increasingly focusing on social and emotional learning and development and positive school climates as essential factors to establish equitable learning environments in which all young people can thrive. The purpose of this guide is to assist states and districts in making decisions about…

States across the country are urgently building and initiating systems to improve schools, including those identified as low-performing under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). With their state ESSA plans approved by the U.S. Department of Education in 2017-2018, state education agencies (SEAs) are moving forward to carry out the vision,…

This guide aims to support state education agencies and early education partners develop coherent, research-based policy by guiding thinking, discussion, data collection, and gap analyses of current practices and policies that can lead to more intentional decision making relative to young Dual Language Learners (DLL) and English Learners (EL).…

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, recognizes the important role educators play in improving education outcomes for students of color and students from low-income families--groups that historically have included large numbers of English learners (ELs). ESSA requires state…

In July 2018, the Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (PL 115-224), a measure to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (the Perkins Act). The reauthorized statute, known as "Perkins V," gives states added…

State and school report cards provide a powerful avenue for states to reach families and the broader public as essential partners in improving student outcomes. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and many state legislatures require states to publish an array of education data including measures at the state, district, and school levels.…

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for English Learners with Significant Cognitive Disabilities presented in this document were developed with explicit consideration of the range of learners who make up the English learner with significant cognitive disabilities student population. The standards are further intended to support these…

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law on December 10, 2015, requires that state education agencies (SEAs) establish standardized, statewide entrance and exit procedures for their English learners (ELs), including ELs with disabilities. For certain ELs with…

The primary mechanism for ensuring students with disabilities receive the right educational content and rigor at the right moment in their education is the individualized education program (IEP). This document, "Ensuring an Equitable Opportunity: Providing a High-Quality Education for Students with Disabilities," details policy and…

The Council of Chief State School Officers' (CCSSO's) commitment to equity is rooted in the belief that all students--across race, ethnicity, gender, language, disability, sexual orientation, or family background or income--deserve an education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life. One of the actions that state education…

American public education policy and practice has long focused on what can be done to meet the academic needs of all students during the school day. Today, more families and students are facing challenges outside of school that affect student academic performance in classrooms. Challenges such as homelessness, food security, mental health and…