Recognizing the universal importance of education, the federal government assumed a larger role in financing public schools with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965. Through subsequent reauthorizations, ESEA has continued to assist the states. In 2001, the reauthorization included "No Child Left Behind," which…

This 2004 report presents a synthesis of evidence on the implementation and outcomes of vocational education and of the 1998 Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Perkins III). It examines questions about the effectiveness of vocational education in improving student outcomes, the consequences of new funding and accountability…

This book is a primer on board-member liability issues and is intended for both board members and school attorneys. The first chapter, "The Legal System," examines federal sources of legal authority, state and local sources of legal authority, and federal and state judicial structures. Liability under state tort law is the subject of chapter 2,…

These papers examine causes of the crisis in school leadership, offering an innovative proposal for a new kind of institution that will train school principals to be turn-around artists. The approach involves close collaboration between the new institution and entire school districts, combining face-to-face instruction with Web-based delivery. Ten…

The purpose of this study was to use data collected from a field research project to enable teachers and instructional leaders to understand and overcome the problems associated with high-stakes testing, especially as they relate to the narrowing of the curriculum. In spring 2001, 27 of the 48 teachers at a middle school in Texas responded to a…

This report, compiled by the College of the Canyons Office of Institutional Development and Technology, assesses the programs and projects of College of the Canyons as part of the Partnership for Excellence (PFE) Program. The report explains that the PFE Program is a mutual commitment by the State of California and the California Community College…

This study investigated use of the Renaissance Partnership Teacher Work Sample (RTWS) as an accountability measure for demonstrating teacher candidates' ability to meet targeted teaching standards. Teacher work samples were collected from nine universities participating in the Renaissance Partnership to Improve Teacher Quality. Trained raters…

This study examines the process through which the Commission on Public Secondary Schools of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC/CPSS) accredits the public high schools of New England. The commission is one of five that compose the association. Recent efforts of government agencies to hold schools accountable by testing…

A group of fourth-grade students with disabilities participating in statewide mathematics assessments in the spring of 2001 (n=570) was given a new assessment focused on specifically modified state curricular standards defined for students with disabilities. A block of items from that assessment was also given to students taking the general…

While scholars of educational accountability policy will not be surprised at the power of local implementers in modifying accountability efforts, Kentucky's street-level debate splits two constituencies in defining a fair system. Advocates for the education of all children including the poor and minorities support the continuous improvement model,…

This study used a regression discontinuity design to examine the causal effect of summer school and grade retention on student achievement. In 1996, the Chicago Public Schools instituted an accountability policy that tied summer school attendance and promotional decisions to performance on standardized tests, which created a highly non-linear…

Redefining the federal government's role in kindergarten through grade 12 education, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is designed to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. The act is based on four principles, the first of which is stronger accountability for results, entailing creation of…

In 1997, Arizona enacted a tuition tax credit law. Supporters consider this law a model for improving public education. Opponents believe it is a model for seriously undermining public education, particularly public schools serving poor children. The two types of tax credits Arizona offers are a private tuition tax credit and tax credit for public…

This policy brief addresses the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs) in large-scale assessments and ELL assessment accommodations. The inclusion of ELL students creates specific accountability policy challenges. States differ in the students they include and their inclusion policies and accommodation practices, and, at present, inclusion…

This booklet is an explanation of what the Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Examination means to Alaskans and how it fits into a larger school accountability reform initiative. The high school class of 2002 is the first group of students who will need to pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Examination to receive a high school…