• Ohio's Approved State ESSA Plan (2023)

• Waiver for Subject-Accelerated Elementary and Middle School Students

Below, please find Ohio's amended State ESSA Plan that was approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Ohio's State ESSA Plan (June 13, 2023)

  • ​Appendix A: Measurements of Interim Progress for Long-Term Goals

  • Appendix C: ESSA Report Card User Guide and Technical Documentation

• Ohio's ESSA Plan Approval Letter from the U.S. Department of Education

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In July 2025, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Education to extend and expand its existing waiver under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This waiver allows elementary and middle school students who are subject-accelerated in English language arts, mathematics, or science to take the assessment aligned with their course of study, rather than the grade-level test typically administered to students in their enrolled grade. Additional information was submitted in August 2025, and the waiver was approved for school years 2025–2026 through 2028–2029.  

This waiver builds on Ohio’s prior success with middle school acceleration and reflects a broader commitment to aligning assessments with instruction. It supports evidence-based practices that promote academic growth, reduce unnecessary testing, and provide equitable access to rigorous coursework for advanced learners across all grade levels. For high school students who have completed all end-of-course exams in a subject area before entering high school, the ACT or SAT will be used to fulfill federal testing requirements.  

• Waiver Approval Letter from US Department of Education (2025)
• Ohio's Elementary and Middle School Testing Waiver Request Letter (2025)
• Frequently Asked Questions - Waiver for Subject-Accelerated Elementary and Middle School Students

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