The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was first signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Nearly 40 years later, President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law in 2002 which reauthorized the original ESEA. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a new law to replace NCLB. President Obama subsequently signed ESSA into law on Dec. 10, 2015.
Parents and their children are the consumers of our nation’s public education system, and parents have always been essential partners in education. However, they haven’t always been included at the decision-making table. This has caused confusion, mistrust and backlash when new initiatives— whether at the federal, state or local level—have been considered and implemented. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides a unique opportunity for parents and families to give their input and to hold states and districts accountable for their children’s educational experience.
Understanding College and Career Ready
College and Career Ready indicates that students are prepared to go directly into a job or enroll and succeed in a post secondary education institution, without remediation.
College and career ready high school graduates must have the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to succeed in life. Parents, families, educators, employers, and policy makers now focus on these skills and knowledge to ensure students receive academic preparation, skills training, life planning, social support and resources. Students are learning critical thinking and reasoning skills necessary to engage in our complex work environments and compete in our global economy. States have adopted higher, more focused standards and aligned assessments to better prepare students for college, technical schools, the military and careers.
- Components of College and Career Readiness
- Academic and Content Knowledge
- Cognitive and Higher-order Thinking Strategies
- Social and Emotional Intelligences
- College and Career Preparedness
- Employability and Life Skills
Family engagement plays a crucial role in education. PTA advocates as a powerful voice for all children and a relevant resource for families and communities - providing resources to help parents and families support and assist with their child's education including readiness for college and career. PTA's focus on college and career readiness supports our mission to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. By working together to ensure America's youth are prepared when they graduate high school, we ensure they are ready for life!
PTA and College & Career Ready