The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

ESSA’s Fifth Indicator: A NASBE Policy Update Series


The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) paved the way for states to create holistic accountability systems that measure school quality and student success by means other than academic test scores. States incorporated a variety of “fifth indicators” in state plans they submitted this spring for review by the U.S. Department of Education, while others are weighing which indicators to include in their fall submission.

This NASBE policy update series explores the pros and cons of five frequently discussed indicators. It highlights what states have proposed in their ESSA plans so far and offers key considerations for state boards that are refining their plans for September submission.

From this series:

Career and Technical Education
School Climate and Student Discipline
Social and Emotional Learning
Chronic Absenteeism
Access to High-Level Course Work


Career and Technical Education

School Climate and School Discipline

Social and Emotional Learning

Chronic Absenteeism

Accessing High-Level Coursework



Related Content

  • State Strategies on Assessments in 2021

    This analysis explores the strategies states employed to administer assessments in the 2020-21 school year. It also highlights the opportunities for state boards to learn from and make the best use of data collected from the pandemic school year.



Featured Items

State Strategies to Advance Digital Equity

By spearheading efforts to collect data, collaborate with partners, buy digital devices and infrastructure, and reimagine effective technology use, several states have made strides toward digital equity in schools.

States Build Support for Students Who Are Homeless

Several states are leveraging $800 million under the American Rescue Plan’s Homeless Children and Youth Program to better address the short- and long-term needs of students experiencing homelessness.
Indiana State Capitol Building on a Beautiful Day. Image credit: iStock i

Seven Questions to Ask about Leveraging American Rescue Plan Funds

This NASBE analysis highlights questions state boards can ask to help frame ongoing conversations to discern the impact of federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Upcoming Events

From the States