A new report looks at how the Every Student Succeeds Act’s mandate for evidence in school-turnaround strategies are playing out in five school districts.
See How States Are Evaluating Companies for ESSA School Turnaround Initiatives
Vendors Need to Establish Evidence of Effectiveness or Risk Losing Out on State or Federal School Improvement Funds

Nearly four years after a federal education law emphasized the use of evidence-based interventions to improve student outcomes, the requirements are changing the K-12 landscape for education companies.
Myths About Title I Spending, and How Vendors Can Overcome Them
The Federal Program Is More Flexible Than Many Districts Know, Explains Education Consultant Melissa Junge

Many districts don’t realize they can spend Title I money on subjects outside of reading and math, and on non-academic interventions, says Melissa Junge, a consultant on federal education programs.
Two acquisitions–Weld North Education of Assessment Technology, and Allovue of Equiday–top our news, which includes LearnPlatform’s expansion and funding for Move This World.

How is the Every Student Succeed Act shaping district purchasing? EdWeek Market Brief’s webinar on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. EST will break it down for K-12 companies.
How Will District Leaders Spend Federal Title IV Dollars? PD Is a Top Priority
But K-12 Leaders' Needs Also Vary Greatly by District Size, Location, and Demographics

Professional development tops administrators’ wish lists for spending federal Title IV grant money, but college- and career-readiness and social emotional learning are also big needs.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is considering allowing a federal grant program authorized under ESSA to support efforts to arm teachers.
The state of Massachusetts needs help developing next-generation assessments for several subjects, and two Texas districts are looking for a continuous improvement consultant and a credit-recovery service.
Education companies can partner with educational entities to apply for federal funds aimed at boosting STEM and computer science education in K-12 schools.
The best practice recommendations for ed-tech companies conducting research has been updated since its 2017 release by a leading industry association.