Making Accountability Meaningful

It is time for a new generation of accountability that fully reflects a more comprehensive definition of student success, accurately measures student learning, and more systematically tracks our efforts to support children. This issue of Policy Priorities examines the benefits and challenges of more meaningful accountability systems and profiles pioneering states and districts that are doing this work.

Unlike many states, Kentucky's accountability system incorporates student performance in subjects other than English language arts and math. Even more unique, it does this through program reviews instead of traditional assessments.

In Tacoma (Wash.) Public Schools, educators are being held accountable for more than just student performance on tests. That's because the district is strategically aligning its accountability system with its overall purpose of supporting the whole child.