Social work pedagogy is at a crossroads. A classically liberal approach is being replaced by one derived from postmodernism and critical theory (PCT). As this shift is mainly paradigmatic, the first half of this paper describes the nature and history of these two competing perspectives. Key differences between liberalism and PCT are discussed and…

As the American economy has shifted, so too has state leaders' understanding of what education systems and institutions need to provide students to set them on a path to long-term success. Is the education system meeting those needs? The true indicator of success is not whether students cross the graduation stage; it is what happens next for them.…

The study compared the Outcome Measures (OM) to the traditional Graduation Rates (GR) to ascertain if OM portrayed the performance of higher education institutions differently than GR and to determine which of the two metrics aligned better with accountability policy objectives. GR refers to the percentages of first-time, full-time students who…

Community colleges serve as crucial gateways to social and economic prosperity for millions of Americans, providing opportunities for career stability and social advancement. The success of this educational pathway hinges on the seamless alignment of a college's mission and goals, creating an environment conducive to faculty excellence in…

This paper analyzes how the citizen-led assessment (CLA), which measures and publicises learning levels in education, triggers bottom-up reform. Drawing on science studies and political theory, the paper examines the performative effects of the CLA in Kenya, showing how it (1) produces a crisis by projecting poor learning outcomes, (2) mobilises…

Cheating attracts a significant amount of attention in conversations about assessment, and with good reason: if students cheat, we cannot be sure they have met the learning outcomes of their course. In this conceptual article we question the attention given to cheating as a concept and argue that the broader concept of validity is a more important…

This report presents a comprehensive review of the key policy initiatives that have fostered transparency and transferability of learning outcomes over the past two decades (2000-20) to promote mobility and lifelong learning. It concentrates on European-level initiatives, while also considering national developments, offering an in-depth analysis…

This study explores how master's students perceive their research experiences and interpret the concept of research. Master's education has been regarded as a steppingstone for doctoral study for several decades in many higher education systems; however, the meaning of 'master' has transformed academically and socially. Accordingly, the research…

Recent higher education accountability policies and proposals have often linked programs' or institutions' federal aid access to students' postcompletion earnings. But proposals differ regarding when to measure earnings. Policymakers may want to know how fast earnings typically grow and when in an individual's career earnings growth rates change.…

This report analyzes the evolution and effectiveness of standards-based reforms in U.S. education. Starting from the increased federal involvement with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965 to the Goals 2000 launch of more recent reforms, the document explores the role of state governments in implementing systemic reforms aimed at…

The study underlying this new report, "Revisiting California's Invisible Achievement Gap," examined trends in the state's publicly available education data for school years 2014-15 through 2022-23, described 10 state-required local control and accountability plans (LCAPs) for school year 2022-23, and incorporated context for these…

Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) ties vendor payments to performance metrics, aiming to enhance accountability in public education. This study examines its implementation in tutoring services through the Southern Education Foundation pilot program. Interviews with district leaders and vendors reveal that OBC fosters collaboration, improves service…

Purpose: Creating suitable learning conditions in university classrooms continues to be a topical issue in higher education. The above means that a continued search for innovative teaching and learning strategies in universities remains a priority issue. The study therefore investigated conditions that facilitate the effective implementation of…

The study conducted a survey to assess employee perceptions of online training practices at the Space Business Area at Lockheed Martin Corp (LMC), specifically within the Space Business Area (BA), to evaluate current training and its correlation with employee retention. Utilizing the New World Kirkpatrick Model (NWKM), the survey measured four…

This biennial publication frames the most pressing challenges currently facing colleges and universities--those that demand the board's strategic oversight, vision, and accountability to advance excellence in governance and outcomes for students. The current competitive economic environment and polarized political climate present unique challenges…