Latest news with #HayleySanon
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Explained: Why the US is suddenly handing power back to states on education
States encouraged to use ESEA waivers as US shifts education control. (AI Image) The US Department of Education has issued a letter to all chief state school officers, encouraging them to take advantage of existing flexibilities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The move invites states to reduce federal compliance burdens by using statutory waiver authority granted under Title VIII of the ESEA. This initiative is part of a broader federal effort aimed at improving academic outcomes following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, which showed significant declines in reading and math performance across the country. Flexibility under the ESEA The Department has outlined two primary avenues for states to exercise greater control over education policy: implementation of existing flexibilities under the ESEA, and the submission of waiver requests under Title VIII. These waivers allow states and tribes to seek relief from statutory or regulatory requirements, except where prohibited by law. In the letter, the Department detailed the criteria that waiver proposals must meet and the process for review. States are also encouraged to seek informal, non-binding feedback from the Department by contacting during the waiver development stage. Response to NAEP performance The guidance follows the publication of the 2024 NAEP results, which revealed declines in both math and reading scores. The scores have prompted the Department to encourage more localized and tailored education strategies. According to the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Hayley Sanon, the recent results indicate that many students have not been well-served by the current public education system. Sanon stated that the Department remains focused on empowering families and improving academic achievement through state-led innovation. She emphasized the role of states in crafting solutions that meet the distinct needs of their students. Waiver authority under Title VIII Title VIII of the ESEA permits the Secretary of Education to waive statutory or regulatory provisions, provided the waiver request meets the legislative criteria and supports educational goals. The Department notes that this authority is designed to help states direct federal resources more effectively and remove obstacles that hinder local implementation. States may request waivers individually or in collaboration with local districts and schools. The Department has clarified that while many flexibilities already exist within the ESEA, waiver authority offers an additional mechanism when those flexibilities are insufficient. Support for state-level education decisions This latest communication from the Department aligns with the Trump administration's stated goal of returning education decision-making power to the states. The Department has reiterated its readiness to assist states in navigating the waiver process and ensuring that resources are used in ways that directly address student needs. The guidance encourages states to take prompt action and leverage all available tools within the ESEA framework. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US Department of Education's new guidance puts students first: Better choices and support ahead for struggling schools
In a significant move to prioritize students' needs and empower families, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has released new guidance that gives states the green light to use federal funds in more flexible and student-focused ways. The aim: to turn around low-performing schools while offering students better options—immediately. For the millions of students enrolled in schools identified as needing Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), or Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), this guidance brings fresh hope—and real opportunities. Choice-driven school reform Under the new guidance, local education agencies (LEAs) can now design school improvement plans that do more than fix broken systems. These plans can—and are encouraged to—include choices for parents and students that reflect their unique educational needs. From academic tutoring and dual enrollment to career and technical education pathways, LEAs can offer a menu of evidence-based options. Importantly, LEAs are not alone. States are expected to support and assist local teams in developing these plans by providing templates and guidance, and ensuring parents are meaningfully involved. The Department urges all stakeholders to treat parents not just as participants, but as partners in choosing what's best for their children. Transfer options for students in struggling schools Perhaps most transformative is the renewed focus on public school choice. Students in CSI-designated schools may now be eligible to transfer to higher-performing public schools within the same district, if allowed by state law. LEAs can use up to 5% of their Title I, Part A allocation to cover transportation costs—making the option not just available, but accessible. In return, states have the discretion to prioritize funding applications from districts that not only show strong need and commitment but also demonstrate a real focus on student empowerment. That includes offering direct choices to parents and students through flexible learning programs and transparent information on available opportunities. What this means for families For families who've long felt trapped in low-performing schools, this shift is more than bureaucratic—it's personal. Parents can now be part of the decision-making process. Students can move to better schools or access specialized programs that match their ambitions and learning styles. As Acting Assistant Secretary Hayley Sanon stated, 'Every year that a child spends in school is precious and cannot be wasted.' This new approach delivers on that urgency—giving families not just hope for future improvement, but access to better options today. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
