It’s August 1st, and summer is flying by with only weeks left until the new school year is slated to begin. Here’s what you need to know and keep an eye out for in education this week as you begin back-to-school prep. 

The No Child Left Behind Waivers Officially Expire, Country Gears Up for Every Student Succeeds Act Implementation

On August 1, the No Child Left Behind waivers that were created after the act had long-expired are officially no more. The pressure to implement the education legislation that will now be in effect, the Every Student Succeeds Act, is on.

One of ESSA's main architects, Lamar Alexander, championed the expiration of the waivers as the end of a "Mother, May I?" era in which schools were forced to report to the "national school board," or the Department of Education.

On the other hand, many advocates for the rights of all students are nervous that reduced federal involvement will mean that disadvantaged students will be allowed to suffer under state laws that don't service them.

Yesterday, 32 civil rights and education groups signed a document reiterating their support for the Department of Education using ESSA to hold "states and districts accountable for increasing student achievement particularly for marginalized communities."

Alexander, however, argues that the Department's proposed accountability regulations "are contrary to the law Congress wrote and the president signed." He argues that ESSA requires states to use federal dollars to focus on lowest performing schools while limiting the Department from telling states how their districts, schools and teachers must operate.

The contrast in opinion will likely have a big effect on how ESSA ends up being implemented, or at least the conversation that surrounds it.

Why Sandy Hook Elementary Design Represents a Breakthrough in Modern School Design

After two years of development, the new Sandy Hook Elementary School will re-open this school year on the same ground that the tragic shooting that rocked both the town and the nation occurred.

Last week, the media was allowed its highly anticipated tour of the new building, and what was revealed was nothing short of a breakthough in school design and safety features.

While security and safety was a main focus on the redesign: “[a] series of checkpoints on Dickinson Drive, the main entryway, including a surveillance gate and main entrance, provide external security, while a bus loop and layers of parking offer another buffers from the main building,” said Curbed.com), ensuring a home away for home for students was a priority, as well.

Curbed.com says the new building manages to balance state-of-the-art security features with "openness and a connection to nature."

"Despite its roots in a tragedy, the new school offers a bright, optimistic learning environment that’s inviting, not institutional,” the article says.

Read the full article. 

A Resource-A-Day to Make Back-to-School Okay

This Education World-created resource aggregates a series of resources-one for every day of August- to help you best prepare for back-to-school. Check it out here.

A Summary of Education in the DNC & RNC

Education-focused website The 74 has compiled a list of memorable conversations had about education in relation to the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.

Topics include the latest news about where the respective VP picks stand on education, the differences in party education priorities and more.

Read the full article. 

The Best and Worst States for School Systems

WalletHub has released its 2016 ranking of the best and worst states for school systems. Massachusetts topped the list this year thanks to having the safest schools and highest test scores while Louisiana ranked dead last thanks to ranking close to the bottom in most categories.

Read the full list. 

Is Tech Going Unused in Schools?

A new report based on over 140,000 classroom observations has found that despite a heavy presence in schools, technology is going largely unused to benefit student learning.

The report concluded that teacher training is needed in most schools in order to make education technology purchases worth the money.

Read the full story. 

Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

8/1/2017