ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13153Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 13153

Actions To Improve Low-Performing Schools

This executive order directs the Secretary of Education to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing technical assistance to states and local school districts to improve low-performing schools, including sharing best practices, coordinating federal education resources, and recruiting qualified teachers for high-poverty schools. It also requires an annual School Improvement Report beginning September 2000 and strengthens compliance monitoring of Elementary and Secondary Education Act requirements related to school improvement.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 26475

Impact dates

  1. annual School Improvement Report published each September

Key directives

  • Secretary shall develop comprehensive strategy for technical assistance to states and LEAs for low-performing schools
  • Secretary shall prepare annual School Improvement Report published each September beginning 2000
  • Secretary shall strengthen Department's monitoring of ESEA requirements for identifying and turning around low-performing schools
  • Secretary shall redirect Department resources and technical assistance capability to assist states and localities in improving low-performing schools
  • Secretary shall consult with executive agencies, state/local education officials, educators, and community-based groups where appropriate

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Secretary to begin developing comprehensive technical assistance strategy
  • priority redirection of Department of Education resources toward low-performing schools

Near term (90d)

  • first annual School Improvement Report due September 2000

Long term

  • ongoing annual School Improvement Reports each September
  • strengthened compliance monitoring system for ESEA requirements
  • sustained technical assistance and capacity building efforts

Risks & tensions

  • EO explicitly disclaims creating any enforceable rights or benefits, limiting legal leverage for implementation
  • Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' language in Section 2(b) may constrain resource redirection
  • No specific funding allocations or mandatory state participation requirements beyond existing ESEA framework
  • Effectiveness depends heavily on voluntary state and local cooperation rather than federal enforcement
Executive Order 13153: Actions To Improve Low-Performing Schools · Executive Orders