National PTA Lauds President Obama’s Signing of Landmark Every Student Succeeds Act

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Dec. 10, 2015) — Today, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 into law. This landmark legislation—which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate—reauthorizes the long overdue Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB).

This new law brings needed improvements to K-12 education in the United States, provides greater responsibility to states to meet the needs of all students and acknowledges the essential role of family engagement to student achievement.

“National PTA commends President Obama for swiftly signing the Every Student Succeeds Act into law and his commitment to improving education to make sure every student is prepared for long-term success,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “The Every Student Succeeds Act is a marked improvement over previous law and provides great opportunity to strengthen family engagement in education and ensure all students reach their full potential. Now is the time for all of us to work together at the federal, state and local levels to make certain that this law makes a difference for the futures of our nation’s children.”

For years, PTAs and families have been advocating for a comprehensive, bipartisan reauthorization of ESEA/NCLB that includes robust family engagement provisions. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains a Statewide Family Engagement Centers program that will provide states and districts with the capacity to support effective implementation and enhancement of family engagement policies and initiatives. The law also includes improvements to Title I that will require districts to conduct family engagement activities that are proven to make a difference for students and schools. PTA remains committed to working with policymakers to embed evidence-based family engagement policies and practices in all aspects of a child’s educational continuum.

“PTAs, families and Statewide Family Engagement Centers play an important role in the successful implementation of ESSA and ensuring that all children receive a quality education by holding states and districts accountable,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA is committed to empowering all families to be active participants in state and local implementation of the law, support student success and make the promise of ESEA/ESSA a reality for all children.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

About Washington State PTA

The Washington State PTA was founded in 1905 by Abby Williams Hill of Tacoma, an artist who saw the need for an organization to support children in the state. Thanks to her leadership and vision - and the work of over 132,000 current members who have carried her vision forward - Washington State PTA has been a leading voice for children in Washington for over 110 years.