This book presents the perspectives of experts from the fields of history, economics, political science, and psychology on what is known about accountability, what still needs to be learned, what should be done right now, and what should be avoided in devising accountability systems. The common myths about accountability are dispelled and how it…

Since the inception of Standards for Technological Literacy (STL) in 2000 by the International Technology Education Association (ITEA), a number of changes have occurred in technology education programs at the state level. With the release of the latest standards publication, Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy (AETL) (ITEA, 2003),…

Recent years have provided an interest on the part of public school systems regarding Montessori as an educational choice, often as a magnet school option. "No Child Left Behind" legislation emphasizes the social and learning needs of individual children as well as a national spirit of accountability for academic achievement, and the…

Given the increasing pressures of high-stakes accountability associated with state mandates and No Child Left Behind (U.S. Department of Education, 2002), linking teacher preparation within professional development schools to the goal of school improvement has become essential. This article illustrates the University of Florida's efforts to…

While numerous recent authors have studied the effects of school accountability systems on student test performance and school "gaming" of accountability incentives, there has been little attention paid to substantive changes in instructional policies and practices resulting from school accountability. The lack of research is primarily…

The study reviewed in this brief provides insight into how teachers and administrators in American public high schools are influenced by and attempt to address the problems posed by standards-based state accountability systems. The analysis builds upon earlier studies that used smaller and less representative samples of secondary schools,…

This report presents an evaluation of Florida's Blind Babies Program, which provides community-based, early intervention education to visually impaired or blind children from birth through age 5 and to their parents, families, and caregivers. The evaluation found that: (1) the Division of Blind Services had not developed an adequate accountability…

The purpose of this paper is to promote local norms as a new way of reporting Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) results for Miami-Dade County district. The norms would: (1) show a student's relative standing in the district, and (2) show the student's growth compared to similar students. This paper presents questions about local norms,…

Since 1998, Florida's harsh A+ Program has graded each public school. School leaders have responded by setting urgent goals, engaging school personnel, using school achievement data, strengthening professional development, aligning curricula, increasing time for academics, choosing supportive instructional materials, building interdisciplinary…

Uses the framework of program theory evaluation to assess the operation of charter schools in Florida in the 1999-2000 school year. Data from a variety of sources suggest that school performance is not better than in regular public schools, and regular schools have not changed in response to their challenge. (SLD)

An ever-increasing reliance on student performance on tests holds schools and educators accountable both to state accountability systems and also to the accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. While each state has constructed its own definition of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements within the confines…

The turnaround recommendations and framework in "The Turnaround Challenge" grew out of both new research and synthesis of extensive existing research, as carried out by Mass Insight Education & Research Institute and its partners since September 2005. If the main report is the tip of the proverbial iceberg, this supplement represents…

Describes the Florida Educational Accountability Act of 1976. The purpose of the act is to validate the high school diploma, thereby improving the quality of public education and eliminating the continued need for social promotion. (Author/MLF)

Florida's 113 charter schools serve 18,255 students and provide opportunities for education innovation and school choice. Many serve at-risk and low-income students. Schools report positive student progress but need stronger accountability. Two-thirds of charter schools are not subject to Florida's A+ school accountability system because they…

Policymakers and education leaders in Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have been working since 2002 to meet all 12 "Challenge to Lead" Goals for Education. At the same time, SREB states have had to struggle with the toughest economic challenges in decades. Even so, SREB states have succeeded in achieving many of the goals…