Meeting The Every Student Succeeds Act’s Promise: State Policy to Support Personalized Learning

Under the new federal K-12 education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states have a historic opportunity to transform K-12 education toward personalized, student-centered learning. This law represents a marked shift in federal control to states, presenting state and local stakeholders with important opportunities and flexibilities to redefine student success and the goals of the United States education system.

This policy report provides recommendations for state policymakers to support local and statewide efforts to transform student learning in K-12 education through personalized, competency-based learning. Taken as a whole, the recommendations present a comprehensive state policy approach to transforming K-12 education. Such an approach will ensure every student can access powerful, personalized learning opportunities in order to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies they will need to be successful.

We encourage state leaders to develop and advance a coordinated set of these recommendations in a way that best meets the needs of students in their state.