It has been suggested that policy formation may be influenced by multiple models, institutional theories, rations models of policy, as well as policy perceived as an interpretive problem. This paper examines the history of accountability reporting and educational goals policy in New Mexico and recent evidence from school-level personnel in light…

Overcoming decades of labor, financial and performance troubles, the Chicago school system has enjoyed improving test scores 3 consecutive years, rising attendance, and labor peace under a new contract balancing the budget. Despite some criticism, the Chicago system enjoys reform successes in six areas: (1) improved governance; (2) greater…

This book, intended for the interested layman and the education professional, describes the process and content of standards-driven education reform. It is based on the premise that schools can excel if they benchmark their standards, align their curriculum, and conduct academic analysis to assess progress. Only the highlights appear in the hard…

This report presents, in chart form, information about the accountability reports and indicator reports from each state. State education staff were asked to identify and update descriptions of all current state reports that provide accountability or educational indicator information for K-12 education. As of August 1999, all state agencies except…

In an age of legal, clinical, and fiscal accountability, record keeping is an important component of professional counseling. The second edition of this book is intended to be used to: (1) explain the uses of a case record and who has access to it; (2) comprehend everyday problems associated with ineffective communication, including how records…

School leaders are increasingly coming under the gun of accountability, and this monograph is designed to help leaders think about, understand, and respond thoughtfully and effectively to the increasing demands for accountability in education. It provides a comprehensive and rather sophisticated set of concepts and insights into accountability…

In 2003, the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) managed about $60 billion in new financial aid. In 1998, the Congress designated FSA as a performance-based organization. In so doing, it specified purposes for the agency, such as to reduce program costs and increase accountability of its officials, and provided…

This focus of this newsletter asserts that if one accepts that accountability systems are intended to serve both symbolic and technical functions, one can ask how well they are operating symbolically to motivate action and how well they are doing in providing adequate technical information to support intended inferences. In this column, it is…

In the 1996?1997 school year, the ABCs of Public Education was implemented as a comprehensive plan to reorganize public schools in North Carolina. The ABCs focus on accountability, on the basics and high educational standards, and on maximum local control. To encourage a strong academic emphasis, the state testing program emphasizes the basic…

Delaware students must meet world-class standards if they are to be competitive and successful in a global economy. To prepare students for their future, schools must support rigorous standards and each teacher must set high expectations. Students must also commit themselves to the achievement of excellence. Any system that hopes to accomplish…

This report is the result of massive public input, five Governor's Summits, and several Board task forces. The research-based plan reflects a confluence of state legislation aimed at improving student achievement, and the Utah Performance Assessment System for Schools (U-PASS), the state's accountability measuring system. The competency-based…

This report provides an evaluation of the academic impact of afterschool programs. Although afterschool programs for children have been operating for many years in some communities, the afterschool movement is just a few years old. As public demand for afterschool has grown, so has the demand for accountability. That is particularly true in…

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the evaluation of validity for accountability systems. This paper is organized into two parts. Part I provides the foundation for the validation framework by considering the following: (1) a definition of accountability systems; (2) the reasons these systems require validation; (3) a brief…

More than ever, policymakers and educators are searching for practices that will improve performance often for large numbers of students. This guide is designed to help by providing a snapshot of five different approaches to systemwide improvement developed by the National Forum on Accountability. The models are based on principles that support…

Summarizes some of the ideas presented and discussed at the sixty-second annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English held in November 1972. (TO)