[1] The law replaced its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and modified but did not eliminate provisions relating to the periodic standardized tests given to students.

The ESSA retains the hallmark annual standardized testing requirements of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act but shifts the law's federal accountability provisions to states.

[10] Another primary goal of the ESSA is preparing all students, regardless of race, income, disability, ethnicity, or proficiency in English, for a successful college experience and fulfilling career.

[13] However, the increase in standardized testing that occurred during the presidencies of Bush and Obama met with resistance from many parents, and many called for a lessened role for the federal government in education.

"[15] Following his 2014 re-election, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who had served as Education Secretary under President George H. W. Bush, decided to pursue a major rewrite of No Child Left Behind.

[16] Alexander and Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking member of the HELP committee, collaborated to write a bipartisan bill that could pass the Republican-controlled Congress and earn the signature of President Barack Obama.

[18] The Department of Education does not define disabled, rather, each state decides its own definition in order to determine which students will be allowed to take the alternate assessment.

[23] Other concerns that were raised were a shift in control which can result in further inconsistencies when it comes to enforcement which would possibly worsen current inequalities in regards to resource allocation for students who face various disadvantages.

[23] In addition to this, the ESSA has also been challenged for calling for an increase of out-of-field teaching, meaning teachers are being asked to instruct subjects outside of their specialization.

[25] Critics call for a more integrated method of approach to leadership and funding to reach the full potential of ESSA to improve educational outcomes.

[25] The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has gained recognition for its advancement in educational equity and for promoting new strategies in regards to school improvements based on proven evidence.

[25]  States who have demonstrated this, such as New Mexico or Tennessee, have utilized these funds to establish partnerships and leadership paths that achieve national expectations, ultimately improving educational outcomes.

[28] ESSA provided states with flexibility to correct the balance and unwind "practices that have burdened classroom time or not served students or educators well.

"[28] The Every Student Succeeds Act statute, regulations and guidance give states broad discretion to design and implement assessment systems.

"[28] Section 1111(b)(2)(B)(viii)(1) of ESSA presents states with the opportunity to meet all Federal academic assessment requirements with a single comprehensive test.

[31] The Every Student Succeeds Act prohibits any officer or employee of the Federal Government from using grants, contracts or other cooperative agreements to mandate, direct or control a state's academic standards and assessments.