A major challenge facing state policymakers who are demanding a high level of accountability in education is to design an accountability mechanism to track educational reform. The structure and uses of eight exemplary approaches to accountability are examined, resulting in a set of design characteristics for state accountability mechanisms. (TJH)

Describes vulnerability of student affairs and other academic support areas during economically difficult times. Explores four components of unified systems approach to student affairs financial management that can maintain efficiency and effectiveness: (1) long-range planning; (2) accountability; (3) evaluation; and (4) applied model of systems…

According to a recent survey, both school board members and secondary principals support reform proposals involving professional development schools, magnet schools, teacher certification, and teacher empowerment and are opposed to school choice. The groups disagree concerning teacher accountability issues. Implications are discussed. (five…

A Michigan school district has developed its own system to ensure the quality of student learning, and the school board has been actively involved. Although ranking near the bottom in Michigan's per-student dollar expenditures, Mattawan students consistently rank among the state's best. (MLF)

Because they are not guided by an overall goal based on scientific theory, the six national education goals are fragmentary, contradictory, and insufficiently concerned about developing student autonomy--education's true aim. Teachers can help children develop autonomy by encouraging them to make decisions and enforce their own rules, fostering…

Discusses the original rationale for special exemptions from formal ethical oversight for educational research and examines varieties of qualitative educational research consistent with it. Formal ethical oversight of student-research practice is also discussed. Policies are offered to determine which variety should qualify for special exemptions.…

Supportive supervision softens the hierarchical supervisory relationship by formally redistributing authority between administrators and teachers. The coaching metaphor emerging from the self-directed supervision option foreshadows the extinction of the superordinate/subordinate relationship. Supervisory situations may evolve into relationships…

Examines what is measured by current testing instruments and details the components of a comprehensive assessment system that includes testing and alternative, authentic measures as the basis for judgments about student progress. Types of tests include norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, and performance-based assessments. The more accurate the…

The Educational Quality Indicators initiative, a 3-year collaboration between Alberta Education and 12 school districts, generated 10 action research projects that developed educational indicator systems with a broad range of student outcomes, methods of data collection and interpretation, and outcomes reporting. Field testing of these systems…

Describes the Minnesota Tech Prep Consortia Evaluation System, which collects outcomes data on enrollment, retention, related job placement, higher education, dropouts, and diplomas/degrees awarded. Explains outcome measures, database development, data collection and analysis methods, and remaining challenges. (SK)

School boards considering contracting with a for-profit company should study the policy pitfalls that privatization might bring in the areas of personnel, finance, technology, program evaluation, negotiated contract waivers, program expansion, and student achievement. (MLF)

Demands for a differentiated curriculum for gifted students raise implementation and evaluation issues. One approach is to change both content and learned thinking strategies. There are four methods of content differentiation: acceleration, enrichment, sophistication, and novelty. To determine a program's effectiveness, there must be evidence of…

Paul Ciotti's monograph "Money and School Performance" exposing the "desegregation debacle" in Kansas City (Missouri) Public Schools is an improperly aimed salvo in the "money matters" debate. Actually, money should not be thrown at politically dysfunctional schools with incompetent teachers, administrators, and board…

Views academic libraries through the lens of the assessment and accountability movements. Illustrates how a research library at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York) has created an assessment environment in an effort to focus on educational impact. Discusses principles of good practice, and formal and informal evaluation. (AEF)

Reports statewide data on post-college earnings of students who last attended a California community college during the 1992-93 academic year. Presents analyses by age group, vocational major, and economic disadvantage. Discusses methodology, as well as policy implications, for using earnings data derived from administrative databases. Contains 14…