Under ESSA, how are districts expected to respond to underperforming schools?

• A. Close the school immediately.
• B. Develop improvement plans and engage in required reporting.
• C. Ignore underperformance.
• D. Reduce district funding.

Answer: (B)

When schools aren’t meeting accountability expectations, ESSA requires districts to take an active, structured approach to improve them. The core idea here is that districts must develop improvement plans for underperforming schools and participate in the mandated reporting that shows how those plans are being carried out and whether they’re making progress.

Improvement plans lay out clear goals, evidence-based strategies, timelines, and responsibilities, and they specify how the district will support the school with resources, professional development, and targeted interventions. The required reporting ensures transparency and accountability, so the state, families, and the public can track progress, see what’s being changed, and adjust as needed.

In short, ESSA directs districts to plan concrete improvements for underperforming schools and to keep stakeholders informed about outcomes, rather than taking immediate shutdown actions or reducing funding.