The purpose of this letter is to invite you to share your feedback with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) on the upcoming implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA, which will replace No Child Left Behind as the primary federal legislation addressing America's public education system, is scheduled to be implemented in the 2017-2018 school year.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas believes that all Arizonans must play an important role as our state plan for ESSA is developed, and she looks forward to hearing the thoughts of parents, educators, members of the public and many others. As a department, our commitment is to make this process highly transparent and collaborative, and we are working hard to provide all stakeholders with as many avenues as possible to make their feelings known.

General feedback regarding ESSA and the transition process, which will be used over the next several months to help draft and develop Arizona's state plan for ESSA, can be submitted via a survey at www.azed.gov/essa. That dedicated website also contains links to additional ESSA resources and gives stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the proposed ESSA rulemaking that was introduced in late May. The site will be updated frequently with information on stakeholder engagement opportunities and examples of comments as they are gathered.

Feedback also can be submitted via email at ESSAInbox@azed.gov and you are invited to join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #ESSAinAZ.

You will have additional opportunities to share your thoughts on ESSA with Superintendent Douglas at any of her upcoming We Are Listening Tour events, which continue this month in Pinetop-Lakeside on July 19 and Payson on July 21. More events are planned through the fall and a full schedule is available at www.azed.gov/weheardyou. Further chances to provide feedback in person will be announced as they are scheduled.