This article discusses the need to reconcile the rising demand for public accountability with the important historical linkage between liberal education and academic freedom. He urges universities and government to join forces in measuring performance in order to serve functions of accountability and freedom. (DB)

In October, a revised set of test scores showed that students in the eight Education Alternative, Inc. (EAI), schools in Baltimore, Maryland, had not performed as well as originally reported. Indicates that a contract with a for-profit company should specify how much test scores or attendance should improve each year and what the consequences are…

Explains a new statutory system of teacher evaluation in British schools. Discusses various stages of the appraisal process from a management perspective. The appraisal scheme is capable of meeting three broad appraisal aims (improving accountability, the quality of students' learning experiences, and staff job satisfaction), so long as everyone…

A "boilerplate" sexual harassment policy embedded in the district policy manual is insufficient. Schools need a comprehensive sexual harassment prevention program addressing authority, accountability, responsibility, and training. Since the vast majority of sexual harassment in schools is student-to-student, training efforts should not be limited…

The article discusses the recent history of development in accountability in a variety of educational settings, focusing on the national standards for educational achievement and the complexity of problems in setting those standards. The article highlights student diversity, cultural pluralism, and the development of equitable systems of…

Explores the legal implications of a voucher program for private school autonomy and then describes how autonomy and accountability issues surfaced in litigation involving the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, program. An appendix details the Notice of School's Intent to Participate requirements of the relevant Wisconsin statute. (88 footnotes) (MLF)

In October 1992 issue of "Educational Leadership," Marian Matthews communicates several misunderstandings about cooperative learning. Interview data from 15 middle schoolers in a wealthy district are not generalizable to all cooperative-learning situations. A cooperative-learning group is neither a seating arrangement nor individualistic learning…

Describes a Florida county's attempt to address increasing demands for assessment. Guided by responses from 1,007 administrators and teachers (75 percent of a random sample of 1,343), a broad assessment framework was developed encompassing advocacy, administration, reporting, training and development, and technical assistance. (13 references) (MLF)

Defines institutional effectiveness concepts, including accountability, alignment, assessment, baseline, benchmark, change, compatibility, competency, cost control, cost efficiency, excellence, family measure, goal, indicator, institutional effectiveness, journal, key indicator, longitudinal data, measure, mission, norm, objective, outcome,…

The use of performance evaluation and performance indicators in Finland is reviewed, and a study of Finnish researchers' perceptions and attitudes about them is discussed. Three conclusions emerged from the study: (1) departmental indicators should be developed; (2) publications are not a bad measure of performance; and (3) most scientists support…

There are numerous historical precedents for today's demands for economic efficiency and accountability in schools. This paper examines comprehensive nineteenth-century accountability system ("Payment by Results") that endured in English and Welsh elementary schools from 1862 until 1897. The amount of the yearly governmental grant…

Discusses current interest in a standard national curriculum and standardized testing, including national teacher standards, flexibility on the local level, choice of textbooks, governance, and costs. Cites foreign examples and describes organizations already active in the movement. (DM)

The article recommends that colleges and universities have a clear and detailed endowment policy that will meet donors' demands for accountability. The disclosure document needs to address investment policy and use of gifts and be communicated to trustees and staff. A collaborative relationship between fund-raising and financial operations is…

The push for national examinations is motivated by unrealistic expectations about the information they will yield. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has now been asked to monitor achievement at the state level, serve as an evaluation and accountability instrument, and be a benchmark for other tests. This article examines…

Many states are answering the call for public reports on educational progress by developing indicator systems that are designed to show trends within and relationships among school data. A table shows 13 states and the number of indicator components used. Offers advice to school boards considering indicator systems. (MLF)