Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

May 24, 2022 / August 16, 2022 Update:

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is seeking several 2021-2022 school year only amendments to the state's Consolidated State Plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act that are needed as a result of accountability disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Prior to submitting an amendment to the United States Department of Education, the SCDE consulted with the Governor, afforded a reasonable opportunity for public comment, and considered comments provided by the public. The August 16, 2022 amendments to not materially change the addendum. The public is welcome to comment.

South Carolina Amended Consolidated State Plan due to COVID-19

October 21, 2020 Update:


In April 2020, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) informed the United States Department of Education (USED) that it intended to suspend all end-of-year assessments, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). On March 27, 2020, the USED issued South Carolina an emergency waiver approving the suspensions of testing and concomitant accountability measures.

In summer 2020, the South Carolina General Assembly passed, and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed into law, Act 142. Act 142 instructed the SCDE to seek a waiver for 2020–21 ESSA-required assessments and concomitant accountability requirements, school identifications, and reporting requirements. Act 142 also suspended all state-required assessments and concomitant state accountability measures unless prohibited by federal law.

In contrast to the Emergency Waiver given to South Carolina in spring 2020, the USED instructed the SCDE to follow the typical waiver requests as outlined in the ESSA. The typical waiver requests requires states to take public comment on the proposed waiver, then review and respond as appropriate prior to submitting the waiver request to the USED for consideration. This report is the SCDE’s summary of the comments received and the SCDE’s responses to those comments.

Public Comments to South Carolina’s Proposed Waiver to the US Department of Education

Every Student Succeeds Act Approved in December 2015

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the latest reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was approved by the U.S. Congress in December 2015. This law provides significant federal support for programs to serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Overview/Highlights:

  • Limits the power of the federal government to set education policy for states
  • Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions, and student supports
  • Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
  • Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
  • Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school

The Plan:

South Carolina developed a Consolidated State Plan which will be implemented starting with the 2017-18 school year. Stakeholders and the public played an active role in the development of the ESSA State Plan prior to its submission to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) on October 13, 2017.

The South Carolina Draft Consolidated State Plan was first posted for public comment and review on October 27, 2016.

USDE ESSA Approval Letter - May 3, 2018 

The Consolidated State Plan Includes the Following Sections:

  • Title I, Part A:  Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
  • Title I, Part C:  Education of Migratory Children
  • Title I, Part D:  Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who  Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
  • Title II, Part A:  Supporting Effective Instruction
  • Title III, Part A, Subpart 1: English Language Acquisition and Language Enhancement
  • Title IV, Part A:  Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
  • Title IV, Part B:  21st Century Community Learning Centers
  • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2:  Rural and Low-Income School Program
  • Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act,  Title VII, Subtitle B

Resources

Public Comments to South Carolina’s Proposed Waiver to the US Department of Education

Amended Consolidated State Plan Submitted to USDE - 2/2020

Revised Consolidated State Plan Submitted to USDE - 4/11/2018

Revised Consolidated State Plan Submitted to USDE - 3/22/2018

October 13, 2017 Consolidated State Plan as submitted to USDE

View additional ESSA accountability recommendations pending approval by the EOC.

January 17, 2018 - Initial ESSA Feedback Letter from USDE 

State Plan - Peer Review Criteria and Notes Form for the McKinney-Vento EHCY Program

State Plan - Peer Review Criteria 

South Carolina ESSA Consolidated State Plan as submitted to USDE on October 13, 2017

October 11, 2017 South Carolina Draft - ESSA Consolidated State Plan

August 2017 South Carolina Draft - ESSA Consolidated State Plan

ESSA accountability recommendations pending approval by the EOC.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Stakeholder Feedback and SCDE Response

May 11 2017 ESSA Presentation Slides 

March 2017 South Carolina Draft - ESSA Consolidated State Plan

Watch the Mar. 24, 2017 ESSA Implementation Statewide Webinar here

ESSA Focus Group Feedback from November 21, 2016 Stakeholder Meeting

Watch the Oct. 27, 2016 ESSA Implementation Statewide Webinar here

Oct. 27 2016 ESSA Webinar Presentation Slides

Crosswalk of Consolidated State Plan Requirements

Revised Consolidated State Plan Template

Full text of Every Student Succeeds Act

Check out this Web page for key ESSA resources, including guidance and regulatory information