Education Policy

Education Policy

Educators and policymakers need supportive policies to improve schools. We partner with states and districts to develop those policies and advocate their adoption at the district, state and federal levels. In papers, blog posts and presentations nationally, we highlight good policy practices.


Recent Education Policy Projects

Maryland

We partnered with Maryland as it undertook a comprehensive re-envisioning of both its assessment and accountability systems. The Center helped develop and coordinate a broad-based task force to help define policy priorities, which we documented in a comprehensive report that outlined clear recommendations to improve assessment and accountability.

National Assessment Governing Board

Scott Marion is one of three measurement professionals on the 26-member board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the “Nation’s Report Card.” In this role, he helps support the technical quality of the assessment and advocates for strong policies to support it.

Policy briefs, blogs and webinars

We work to build support for federal and state policies to support high-quality assessment and accountability systems that ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to learn meaningful content and skills. Two short papers, “The Case for State Testing” and “The Case for Statewide School Accountability Systems,” are recent examples of this work.


Recent Education Policy Blog Posts and Papers

A Survey of Approaches Used to Evaluate Educators in Non-Tested Grades and Subjects

This paper provides the results of scan of states’ and districts’ approaches to evaluating educators in non-tested subjects and grades.
June 2, 2011

State End-of-Course Testing Programs: A Policy Brief

This paper provides an overview of current policies and practices with respect to state end-of-course testing programs, including a discussion […]
February 1, 2011

Wyoming’s Testing Irregularities: Final Report

This paper is the final report of the work commissioned by the Wyoming Department of Education examining the likely impact […]
August 27, 2010

Florida’s School Grade Scores: Final Report

This paper is the final report of the work commissioned by the Florida Department of Education to examine unexpected declines […]
August 3, 2010

Let’s Not Forget About Opportunity to Learn: Curricular Supports for Innovative Assessments

This paper provides a foundation for developing and using replacement units to help local educators upgrade their curriculum and instruction […]
April 26, 2010

Developing a Theory of Action: A Foundation of the NIA Response

This paper outlines a practical approach for developing and using a theory of action to guide major initiatives and/or interventions, […]
April 16, 2010

Reflections on Tools and Strategies Used in the Hawaii Progress Maps Project

This paper describes lessons learned from one state’s multi-year process to develop learning progressions in reading and mathematics for grades […]
December 2, 2009

Establishing a State Consortium for Assessment: A Discussion of Factors to Consider

This paper provides a framework of four major areas to consider in the development of a state assessment consortium. Regardless […]
December 1, 2009

NECAP: Notes on the Collaboration Among Four New England States

This paper provides an overview of the collaboration of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont in the New England […]
November 1, 2009

2009 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

Next Generation Assessment and Accountability Systems October 1st-October 2nd Agenda Session I Public Education SystemsPeter McWalters, Former Commissioner of Rhode […]
October 2, 2009