Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a federal education law which includes both requirements and a great deal of flexibility for states in a number of key areas. This act, passed in 2015, reauthorized the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), replacing No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Rhode Island's ESSA State Plan Rhode Island’s ESSA State Plan is a consolidated plan RIDE submits to the U.S. Department of Education for approval, detailing how the state will meet certain federal requirements under ESSA such as academic standards, accountability, support for school improvement, student and educator support, and use of federal education funds. The U.S. Department of Education permits states to update their ESSA State Plans through an amendment process. Rhode Island’s most recent ESSA State Plan amendment included adjustments to the state’s school accountability system, such as the addition of Science Proficiency as an indicator, moving to biennial Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) identifications, and some short-term changes due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Education approved this plan in December 2023. Rhode Island’s ESSA State Plan, Approved December 2023 Cover Letter to Rhode Island’s 2023 ESSA State Plan Amendment Letter of Approval from the USED Prior Versions, Addendums, and Waivers to Rhode Island’s ESSA State Plan Rhode Island’s ESSA State Plan Addendum, Approved December 2022 Rhode Island's Return to School Star Ratings – Overview of the 2022 Addendum Letter of Approval from the USED for RI’s 2022 Addendum Rhode Island’s Accountability Waiver, Approved June 2021 Letter of Approval from the USED for RI’s 2021 Waiver Rhode Island’s Assessment and Accountability Waiver, Approved April 2020 Letter of Approval from the USED for RI’s 2020 Waiver Rhode Island’s ESSA State Plan, Approved March 2018 Letter of Approval from the USED for RI’s 2018 ESSA State Plan Documents from Initial ESSA State Plan Development Process Rhode Island's ESSA State Plan - Updated September 14, 2017 [PDF, 2.6MB] Overview Presentation of Rhode Island's ESSA State Plan [PDF, 1.8MB] Companion Guide to the State Plan [PDF, 1.5MB] Public Comment Feedback Overview Presentation [PDF, 501KB] Public Comment Feedback Submissions (Excel) [XLSX, 71KB] Public Comment Feedback Submissions (PDF) [PDF, 456KB] Memorandum of Agreement between RIDE and DCYF [PDF, 960KB]