Accountability

Accountability systems signal policy priorities, report performance, inform support strategies, and build public understanding of K-12 schools. We work with education leaders and constituents to design, implement, and evaluate accountability systems that support student learning and school improvement. To be effective and meet states’ and districts’ goals, these systems must be technically sound and responsive to local needs.

Recent Accountability Projects

Mississippi

The Center supports the design, implementation and evaluation of Mississippi’s accountability system by providing ongoing technical consultation and analyses. We also coordinate meetings of its accountability task force, an advisory group of state education leaders. Through this work, the Center can identify solutions that are responsive to the state’s policy priorities.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire leaders wanted to learn more about whether their accountability system was working as intended. For example, are school ratings reliable, valid, and useful? The Center designed and implemented a series of studies to investigate these questions and document the results to inform the state’s ongoing efforts to refine and improve its practices.

Kentucky

Kentucky wanted to establish standards for school quality that were clear and meaningful. The Center worked closely with state leaders to develop and implement an innovative methodology for setting school performance standards. Grounding the standards in a strong process and compelling rationale helps build trust and buy-in among state constituents and helps ensure the accountability results are more useful to support school improvement.