A study explored quality assessment and accountability in Dutch university education. The national system of quality assurance and various models used successfully to implement it are described, and the range of apparent effects and influences of quality assurance on Dutch higher education are examined. Comparison is made with American higher…

The articles of this special issue focus on problems and deficiencies in the evaluation of school superintendents. They explore ways to improve superintendent evaluation, drawing on the literature, political realities, educational philosophy, and the theory and practice considered essential for good evaluation. (SLD)

Summarizes the major provisions of the Improving America's Education Act (IASA): (1) higher standards for all children; (2) a focus on teaching and learning; (3) flexibility to stimulate local school-based and district initiatives, coupled with the responsibility for student performance; (4) links among schools, parents, and communities; and (5)…

The policy statement from the National Education Summit asserts that standard-setting efforts are necessary for educational improvement. Business and public leaders must take steps to implement standards, develop relationships between schools and businesses, report progress to the public, and promote information sharing and technical assistance.…

The seven chapters of this theme issue explore current developments in research into educational accountability. State educational performance reporting policies, resource allocation for accountability, and educational reforms in Canada, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are discussed. The final chapters consider accountability policy research. (SLD)

Centrists believe education is initially a right for every young person. When youngsters demonstrate no interest in doing schoolwork, obeying school rules, or respecting school staff, they forfeit this right and must re-earn it. Centrists believe values should be addressed openly; reject polarized curriculum ideologies; and hold teachers, parents,…

Examines how two government-initiated reforms, result-oriented planning and quality assessment, were perceived by 43 department heads and faculty at Norwegian colleges and universities. While result-oriented planning was perceived as an unnecessary reform, causing high tension and having only symbolic effects, quality assessment was seen as valid,…

This article describes a thinking process that can lead to meaningful Individualized Education Family Plan outcome statements for young children with disabilities. It offers questions for families and service providers to use to evaluate the outcome statements they craft together and describes some types of outcomes that do make a difference.…

Examines recent implementation of the controversial Massachusetts Educator Certification Tests and the educational, legal, and public policy issues in the implementation of a teacher testing program. The paper focuses on: the contexts for teacher testing; the tests themselves; the quality of the tests; and legal issues in teacher testing and…

Describes an eight-step integrated school district strategy for individual school reform that makes the pursuit of greater school equity, accountability, and efficiency a mutually supporting, goal-oriented activity capable of facilitating student academic excellence. Discusses how districts and schools can benefit from this and emphasizes steps to…

The Education Improvement Act instigated funding allocation reform, equalization and equity, system accountability, systemwide report cards, value-added assessment, and governance reform. The most dissatisfied educators are those in large, wealthier urban systems. Horizontal equity, accountability, and test results have improved throughout the…

Policy makers are turning away from individual performance pay, favoring school-based rewards that expand curriculum or fund other improvements. Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas have adopted performance-based rewards and sanctions. Policy makers must balance state and local control and align performance indicators with school…

This article highlights alternate assessment scoring and reporting in Delaware and Indiana. Delaware's alternate assessment portfolios are scored by two third parties using a multidimensional rubric. In Indiana, lead teachers use a rubric similar to that used in general education assessments to score alternate assessment electronic portfolios.…

The standards movement has caught on in most states, but critics point to a shortage of support for teachers and overreliance on high-stakes testing, which can lead to teaching to the test. Developments in Northwestern states are discussed, as well as criteria for determining how well tests align with standards, and change strategies observed in…

This article tells the story of one elementary school faculty who responded to the call for accountability by adopting an inclusive view and implementing educational practices where all students were welcomed and considered valuable, contributing members of the school community. The inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education…