The planning and initial implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act—which will take place over the next two years—requires attention from those who advocate on behalf of students with disabilities. ESSA requires states to engage in "timely and meaningful consultation" with stakeholders in both the planning stage as well as implementation.

Ensuring that students with disabilities are treated equitably under ESSA must be a top priority as this new law is implemented. The impact that ESSA will have on students with disabilities will depend in large part on the involvement and scrutiny advocates give to the development of their state accountability systems and state plans.

Lisa Pugh is one such advocate. Lisa is the State Director of The Arc of Wisconsin. She was selected to serve on Wisconsin's Equity in ESSA Stakeholder Council - a group of stakeholders that will work on the state's ESSA plans.

Lisa has generously agreed to report on the activities of the Council and, in particular, the role she plays as a representative of Wisconsin's students with disabilities. We thank Lisa for providing these updates and hope other advocates will find them helpful.

Sally Flaschberger of Disability Rights Wisconsin joined the Stakeholder Council in January 2017. Thanks to Sally for joining Lisa in her reporting!

*** Find out what's happening in your state on ESSA implementation here and here. ***

Lisa reports on 2nd meeting of Wisconsin's Equity in ESSA Stakeholder Council held September 27, 2016. Meeting materials available here. Lisa's responses to meeting Pre-think guide (PDF)

Information and Resources on ESSA Stakeholder Engagement

• US Dept. of Education:
  • Dear Colleague Letter to state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) stressing the importance and utility of stakeholder engagement as they begin to transition to ESSA (June 23, 2016).
  • Stakeholder Forum (September 27, 2016).
    
    
• Education Commission of the States: Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement
  
  
• Council of Chief State School Officers: Let’s Get this Conversation Started (PDF)
  
  
• Coalition for Community Schools: StakeHolder Engagement (PDF)
  
  
• Learning First Alliance: Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement in ESSA
  
  
• Partners for Each and Every Child: A Handbook for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement (PDF)
  
  
• Education Trust: Students Can't Wait
  
  
• Education Week blog: A View from the Field: Building Comprehensive ESSA Stakeholder Engagement
  
  
• Education Week Commentary: ESSA's Success Requires Stakeholder Engagement