This publication by the Education Trust explores how elements of the new federal law governing public education, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), support progress toward an equity-focused school system. In a series of short papers, researchers at the Education Trust dissect the ESSA into six foundational building blocks upon which an equity-focused school system can be based. These building blocks include standards, assessments, accountability systems, public reporting, teachers and leaders, and funding. Each of the short papers takes a deep dive into the building-blocks and answers questions about what will states be required to do, and how we can best support equity-building efforts