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

Assessment System Review: A Toolkit for Schools and Districts

The Center has long advocated that schools and districts undertake thoughtful reviews of the assessments they require, so they create […]
August 13, 2024

Let’s Take Stock of High-Stakes Testing

A debate has roiled for decades about using educational assessments for consequential decisions. We’ll dive into that debate at RILS 2024.
August 7, 2024

Measuring Student Success Skills: A Review of the Literature on Analytical Thinking

The ability to think analytically is vital in today’s world. In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, economic globalization […]
June 7, 2024

Stop Trying to Use Commercial Interim Tests for Instructional Purposes

The concept of “strategic abandonment” sheds light on the appropriate uses of commercial interim assessments. Instructional utility isn’t one of them.
June 5, 2024

Moving Education From Accountability to Shared Responsibility

Shifting from an accountability mindset to reciprocal responsibility could transform the way schools, districts and states work toward improvement.
May 29, 2024

Strengthening Ties Between Accountability and School Improvement

Do school accountability systems support effective school improvement practices? If not, where is the system breaking down and how can we fix it?
May 1, 2024

Reimagining Balanced Assessment Systems

An important new book from the National Academy of Education can support state and district leaders in building balanced assessment systems.
April 10, 2024

Pandemic Impact and Recovery in Hawaii: A Descriptive Case Study

This study explores the effects of COVID-19 on academic growth and achievement in Hawaii schools, and strategies that school leaders […]
March 7, 2024

Peer Review: Can Emerging Programs Meet the Requirements?

Through-year and other novel test designs face challenges in peer review. Three changes by the U.S. Department of Education could improve the process.
March 6, 2024

A Call for Extending Open Access in K-12 Education

We must share our knowledge broadly, free of charge, without restriction, to support an important public good: improving outcomes for all students.
January 24, 2024