2015 has been an exciting year for competency-based, blended, and online learning. We\u2019ve witnessed breakthrough policies signed into law, hundreds of districts and schools shifting toward a new era of personalized learning, and an unwavering focus on doing what is best for kids. As 2015 comes to a close, below we reflect on the 2015 education highlights\u00a0in policy and practice throughout the year.<\/p>\n
From iNACOL\u2019s perspective, the\u00a0most important education highlight of 2015 is the historic passage of ESSA. The Every Student Succeeds Act<\/a> (ESSA), signed into law by President Obama on December 10, 2015<\/a>, reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaced No Child Left Behind. This signifies a historic shift and it ushered in a new era for K-12 federal education policy, holding significant implications for K-12 education. ESSA gives states the flexibility to redesign assessments around student-centered learning, to rethink accountability for new learning models<\/a>, and to modernize educator and leader development<\/a>. It also provides funding to states and districts to implement personalized learning and invests in research on the digital equity gap.<\/p>\n #ESEA<\/a> Reauthorization was a historic, bi-partisan effort. Huge thanks to Congress and #POTUS<\/a> for new law as #ESSA<\/a> was signed today! @nacol<\/a><\/p>\n — Susan Patrick (@susandpatrick) December 10, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n