New Jersey Department of Education

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a law that was passed to make sure all children in the United States have access to a quality education. ESSA builds on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which was created to help students from low-income families. ESSA continues this mission by focusing on making sure every student, no matter where they live or their background, has the chance to succeed in school.

Under ESSA, each state is responsible for creating its own plan to improve schools and ensure that all students are learning. For example, states are required to:

  • Set Goals: States must set clear goals for student achievement, including targets for closing gaps between different groups of students, like those who are from low-income families or have special needs.
  • Create Accountability Systems: States need to develop systems to measure how well schools are doing relative to all schools in the state.
  • Support Schools: If a school is struggling to meet its goals, the state must step in to help. This includes providing extra resources, training for teachers, or other support to help the school get back on track.
  • Involve the Community: ESSA encourages states to work closely with parents, teachers, and community members when developing their education plans. This ensures that the voices of those who know the students best are heard.

New Jersey 2024 ESSA State Plan

To continually improve its systems of support, in August 2024, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) invited public comment on New Jersey’s 2024 Draft ESSA State Plan. The proposed updated plan builds upon the initial ESSA State Plan, which was approved by the United States Department of Education (USED) in 2017 and created in consultation with New Jersey stakeholders.  

At this time, the period for public comment has concluded, and a revised 2024 ESSA State Plan is being finalized for submission to USED. The dropdown below includes the current Approved ESSA State Plan and explanatory resources.


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