Statewide school accountability systems have been required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for more than 20 years. However, many states implemented school accountability systems well before federal requirements, demonstrating a recognition of their role in supporting school improvement.
As a new administration takes office with a pledge to reduce the federal government’s role in education, there is growing uncertainty about oversight of ESEA’s requirements. What if states have increased latitude to implement statewide school accountability systems? Should accountability as we know it be dismantled?
In this brief, we make the case that states should continue to implement high-quality school accountability systems—regardless of the level or nature of federal oversight—and also pursue opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement. We contend this is a bipartisan position that elevates shared priorities for improving educational outcomes for America’s public schools. To support this assertion, we adapt and extend the principles we described in our companion brief, The Case for State Testing.
Statewide school accountability systems are vital for:
- Building public trust and engagement
- Signaling what’s important to district and school leaders
- Monitoring group, school and district performances
- Supporting school improvement initiatives.
Photo by Allison Shelley for EDUimages
