Against a general backdrop of an international discourse on educational reform that has focused on accountability, this article provides a detailed and critical analysis of the evolution of accountability policy and practice in Irish primary and post-primary education during the past 20 years. The analysis indicates clearly that national policy…

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Florida teachers' recommendations for improving the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and to compare their recommendations with those of Florida administrators. Although teachers' suggestions varied as to the types and extent of remedies needed to improve the FCAT, some common themes emerged. The…

Inherent in the current school reform movement is an assumption that good schools are effective schools (Cuban, 1998). Effectiveness is usually defined narrowly in terms of academic achievement. Other purposes of schools related to social justice, developing student social skills, student health, or the personal development of students has not…

A main goal of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is to close gaps in test scores between different groups of students while raising achievement for all groups. Of particular concern are the persistent achievement gaps between African American, Latino, and Native American students and their white and Asian counterparts, and between students from…

This year the Center on Education Policy (CEP) analyzed data on the achievement of different groups of students in two distinct ways. First, it looked at grade 4 test results to determine whether the performance of various groups improved at three achievement levels--basic and above, proficient and above, and advanced. Second, it looked at gaps…

This year the Center on Education Policy analyzed data on the achievement of different groups of students in two distinct ways. First, it looked at grade 4 test results to determine whether the performance of various groups improved at three achievement levels--basic and above, proficient and above, and advanced. Second, it looked at gaps between…

This statistically representative survey of 1,203 likely Virginia voters illustrates public opinion on a wide range of K-12 education issues. The underlying purpose of the Friedman Foundation's state surveys is to measure voter knowledge and attitudes toward public institutions and policies, innovative ideas, and the state's K-12 education system.…

Texas' and Oregon's experiences in building a performance measurement and reporting information system (PMRIS) for their adult literacy programs were compared. The Oregon PMRIS development effort was a multiyear project involving 10 programs and calling for collection/reporting of data regarding 10 of 272 benchmarks recommended by the Oregon…

College outcomes assessment data and data collection plans for the future are presented in this report on Pueblo Community College's (PCC's) progress in implementing its 1991 Revised Accountability Plan. Following introductory sections, information is presented on changes made as the result of assessment efforts, activities to disseminate…

Four governor's regional literacy summits were held throughout Ohio in autumn 1992. At the summits, literacy and adult education program administrators and teachers, business representatives, government leaders, community agency workers, adult learners, and others expressed their opinions about Ohio's literacy needs and ways of meeting them. An…

This monograph presents the Strategic Directions Charter of Indiana University, which recommends ways the university should change in order to adapt to constraining circumstances and to emerge as the model of America's New Public University. It discusses in detail the 30 recommendations of the Charter, developed by 250 members of the University…

This paper presents an examination of case law on faculty tenure and promotion as they are affected by institutional financial exigency and an examination of case law on personnel and faculty evaluation. An opening section reviews growing demands for accountability in higher education including legislatively mandated assessment of faculty and of…

A review of the research and a case study of current practice in one large urban school district evaluate the decision-making process of including students with disabilities in systems of educational accountability and the identification and provision of suitable accommodations for such students. Issues in the inclusion of students with…

Many colleges and universities are engaged in new efforts to assess the outcomes they produce. As a first step, these institutions usually examine their mission statement, goals, and objectives. These form the foundation for assessment but they are also fundamental tools for enhancing institutional effectiveness in general. This handbook was…

This report discusses the challenges facing state and land grant universities and offers an agenda for change put forth by 25 current or former presidents of such institutions. It advances three broad ideals for state and land grant universities, in that they should become genuine learning communities, student-centered and committed to teaching…