With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) last year, an unprecedented level of autonomy and control has been given to states and districts in crafting education policy. Many organizations and advocates see a real opportunity to advance an equity agenda through ESSA’s implementation: the law supports the planning and implementation of community schools with wraparound supports and pushes states to look beyond mere test scores when assessing student achievement.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools, has been hailed for her holistic approach to school reform that doesn’t flinch from addressing the many systemic inequities that children face before they even step foot on school grounds. From a food pantry to a health clinic and a shelter for homeless students, Dr. Anderson has shown that tackling inequity not only improves children’s well-being, but also improves their academic performance.

Dr. Michael Kirst, President of the California State Board of Education, was named the 2016 Educator of the Year by Loyola Marymount University in recognition of his decades of tireless work to improve public education for all Californians. Dr. Kirst is considered by many to be the key architect of the state’s new Local Control Funding Formula, which, since 2013, has led school districts to develop Local Control Accountability Plans with community input to ensure that education funding goes to improving learning conditions for all children.

Join the Schott Foundation for an exclusive webinar — part of our 25th anniversary celebration — in which we will discuss how communities across the country can work with ESSA to protect and advance a true opportunity to learn for all children.

Our speakers will include:

• Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent, Topeka Public Schools
• Dr. Michael Kirst, State Board President, California State Board of Education
• Dr. John H. Jackson, President & CEO, Schott Foundation for Public Education (Moderator)