Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed in 2015, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. It maintains a focus on equity for all students while giving states and local school districts much more ownership over systems of school accountability and support.

In Iowa, ESSA has been a great opportunity to build on bold education improvements underway that align with ESSA requirements, including clear and rigorous standards for what students should know and be able to do, a school accountability system that targets support where and when schools need it most and a structure for professional learning that emphasizes teacher leadership and evidence-based practices.

ESSA Support Site

Download the Flyer

Continuous Improvement ESSA Supports

Important Contacts

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Crista Carlile

Crista Carlile

  • Director of Service for a Fee

Public Districts: Des Moines

Charter Schools: Des Moines Prep Academy, Great Oaks Charter School, Horizon Science Academy, Xceed Oakmoor Academy

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Apiary Leadership Academy, Bergman Academy, Christ the King, Des Moines Adventist, Des Moines Diocese, Dowling High School, Empigo Academy, Joshua Christian Academy, JW Reed Christian Academy, Mt. Olive Lutheran School, One School Global, Two Rivers Classical Academy (Grades 6-12)

Education: Bachelor’s degree, biology; Master’s degree, secondary education; Ed.D., educational leadership

Experience: High school science teacher, Science curriculum coordinator, High school administrator, Director of teaching & learning; Regional director Joined Heartland AEA in 2022

Expertise: Systems improvement; quality/continuous improvement; leadership development; strategic planning and implementation; leadership coaching

How I’ve made an impact: I have worked closely with a district to implement a school improvement process that aligns evidence-based practices in improvement science with federal and state requirements for ESSA and Title I.

Susie Meade

Susie Meade

  • Chief Academic Officer

Education: Bachelor’s degree, secondary education; Master’s degree, special education; Doctorate degree, educational administration

Experience: Family & consumer science teacher; Special education teacher; School administration: assistant middle school principal, elementary principal, director of special education, assistant superintendent, superintendent; AEA administration: chief administrator, chief academic officer
Joined Heartland AEA in 2023

Expertise: Leadership of systems and system development, general education and special education

Professional affiliations: School Administrators of Iowa, American Association of School Administrators

How I’ve made an impact: As a school leader, I’ve led successful school improvement processes which resulted in buildings and districts identifying key needs/priorities, developing implementation plans and sustaining school improvement efforts so that all students were able to exhibit growth and improve academically initially and over time.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)