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

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

2007 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

English Language Learner Assessment and Accountability: Critical Considerations for Design and Implementation September 27th – 28th Agenda Session I Setting […]
September 28, 2007

Measuring Growth With the MCAS Tests: A Consideration of Vertical Scales and Standards

This paper, prepared for the Massachusetts Department of Education, describes three conceptions of student growth and examines the appropriateness of […]
October 1, 2006

Developing a Value Table for Alaska’s Public School Performance Incentive Program

This paper outlines the process by which Alaska established the Value Table it is proposing for its school performance incentive […]
August 1, 2006

2005 Reidy Interactive Lecture Series

Wrestling With High School Assessment and Accountability September 29th – 30th Agenda Session I Overview of High School Goals and […]
September 30, 2005

A Framework for High School Accountability

This presentation outlines a framework for designing high school accountability systems including considerations of multiple levels of the educational system […]
September 29, 2005