As part of the 2016 National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Arizona, Executive Directors Tom Gentzel of the National School Board Association and Dan Domenech of the American Association of School Administrators discussed the importance of a superintendent and school board having a positive relationship to effectively run a school system. An excerpt of some of their comments follows:

Two of the biggest challenges for the superintendent and school board will be the understanding and incorporating of the new education law, ESSA: Every Student Succeed Act in the school system. This law replaces the long standing 50-year old ESEA, Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Some of the provisions of ESSA is (1) advance equity by upholding critical protections for America’s disadvantaged and high-need students; (2) require for the first time that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers and (3) ensure that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual statewide assessments that measure students’ progress toward those high standards.

On December 15, 2015, President Barrack Obama signed the ESSA into law. Gentzel commented that the ESSA is a remarkable law because there will be “push back on standardized testing issues and it will provide more control for the local community.” Therefore, it is imperative that the school board gains pertinent information and knowledge about the law and work closely with the superintendent as an integral part of the leadership team.

While this law replaces the mandates of No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, Domenech noted that “some superintendents around the country are concerned that their states might continue doing what they are doing; they are happy with the way things are with standardized testing despite this being contrary to the spirit of the law.” It is all about equity. The new ESSA will require some use of standard assessment, but there is nothing in the budget to address equity. There are a number of “school systems that are not at the level of funding since 2008 and we have to look at this problem,” said Domenech. Every child must be afforded an opportunity for a quality education.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 12 books: “Jacob’s Dream! A Lesson on Numbers and Birds,” “Jacob’s Dream! A Lesson on Alphabets and Continents,” “How to Eradicate Bullying,” “Education Questions to be Answered,” “Current Issues and Answers in Education,” “How to Eradicate Hazing,” “Professional Career Paths,” “Your Answers to Education Questions,” “How to revitalize the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.” “Completing the Dissertation: Tips, techniques and real-life experiences from Ph.D. graduates.” “Jacob’s Dream, A Story of Careers for Children” and Jacob’s Dream, A Story of Animals in Africa. He is publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper.  Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at [email protected]