Final answer:
In November 2020, the State Board of Education likely adopted new educational standards or guidelines, coinciding with the ESSA's goals and the individual state's requirements for educational excellence. This included the flexibility for states to set their specific educational plans and the adoption of new curricula such as a math curriculum to better meet student needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
In November 2020, the State Board of Education most likely adopted new standards or guidelines related to education. These changes may include updates on the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law in December 2015, as a part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The ESSA shifted accountability from the federal level to the states, requiring annual testing but allowing states to set their individual goals and plans that must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Every Student Succeeds Act was integral in addressing the challenges presented by its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), by providing a more flexible framework for education across the United States. NCLB's prescriptive requirements became increasingly cumbersome, leading to a nationwide call for a law that would better prepare students for college and careers by fully supporting educational efforts at the state level.
The ESSA also faced challenges, such as delays under the Trump administration and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the speed at which states could enact their education plans. Despite these delays, Massachusetts became the first state to have its plan approved in April 2020.
State and local school districts also play vital roles in education policy and might adopt new curricula, such as a math curriculum, to suit the changing educational needs of their students. These adaptations are essential to maintain a high-quality education system that supports students' advancements and success.