Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2001) to reduce federal micromanagement of schools while maintaining accountability. It aimed to give states more flexibility in setting standards and measuring student success.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) established federal aid to schools. NCLB (2001) added strict federal testing/accountability requirements. ESSA rebalanced federal and state roles.