FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA–Helena High School has been chosen by the State Department of Education as one of eight host locations for the upcoming Community Engagement Tour to highlight the new Every Student Succeeds Act.

The ESSA, which has replaced the No Child Left Behind law, encourages states and schools to innovate and at the same time maintain a focus on accountability, an emphasis on state and local systems of improvement and a more balanced assessment system.

The Every Student Succeeds Act Community Engagement Tour will highlight the benefits to Alabama public school students and professionals as well as detail how ESSA will complement Alabama’s Plan 2020.

Members of the Every Student Succeeds Act Implementation Committee will provide an overview of ESSA, which continues to build upon the framework the Alabama State Department of Education has established for preparing Alabama’s students for college or career upon graduation from high school.

Appointed by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, the committee is comprised of educators, lawmakers, school board members and parent advocates.

Upon conclusion of the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to ESSA Implementation Committee members on how Alabama can develop a more equitable K-12 public education system. The committee’s work will continue throughout 2016, culminating with a final recommendation made to Bentley, followed by a vote of the Alabama State Board of Education.

The Every Student Succeeds Act Community Engagement Tour will be hosted at eight school systems throughout the state. All tour stops will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7 p.m., followed by a 30-minute Q&A session.

The ESSA Community Engagement Tour will visit Helena High School on Thursday, Aug. 18 beginning at 6 p.m. at 1310 Hillsboro Parkway.

To learn more about ESSA, visit the Every Student Succeeds Act page on the Alabama State Department of Education website.