January 2016

On January 21, AERA submitted comments in response to a request for information from the U.S. Department of Education for advice and recommendations on the implementation and operation of programs under the recently enacted Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The department specifically sought information concerning topics for regulations or nonregulatory guidance related to Title I of ESSA.

AERA’s comments focused on two components of ESSA. First, AERA encouraged the department to develop guidance to assist states and school districts in understanding the different tiers of evidence defined in the new legislation. Second, AERA asked the department to provide specific guidelines for states and districts determining whether or not evidence is “reasonably available.”