With the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states have a new opportunity to lead on educational equity. Public education is fundamentally a state responsibility that is explicitly addressed by each state's constitution, and states provide the largest share of funding for public schools, which positions states to ensure equity in education remains a priority--and becomes a reality. To help states use ESSA to close opportunity and achievement gaps, this document identifies eight equity priorities--closing funding gaps, improving low-performing schools, increasing access to effective teachers and leaders, supporting English learners, increasing access to advanced coursework, addressing disproportionate discipline practices, addressing students' social-emotional learning needs, and improving access to high-quality instructional materials--and illustrates how states can use ESSA to improve equity in opportunities and outcomes.