The economic meltdown has hit U.S. college campuses, and higher education is on the chopping block in state budgets, with cuts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars already approved and hundreds of millions in more cuts on the way. As veteran legislators, the authors have seen this story play out before in previous recessions. The mindset on…

Response to article in December 2000 "Phi Delta Kappan" by James Scheurich, Linda Skrla, and Joseph Johnson in support of the Texas Accountability System. Discusses flaws in the article's historical possibilities thesis and the inaccurate characterization of accountability as a dichotomy. Advocates Coalition for Authentic Reform…

Review of standards-based education reform suggests that closing the achievement gap for children of color is more difficult than anticipated. There should be no high stakes until assessments are aligned with desired skills. Schools are accountable but must be given resources and authority. Mixed systems for assessing standardizable and…

In this article, Bobby Ann Starnes, discusses cheating in the classroom and in the political world. She uses specific examples from her own school experiences and from president Bush's "Texas Miracle." She discusses what students consider as real needs for cheating, which include students staying eligible for sports or membership in…

Districts must hire "highly qualified teachers" to implement "research-based best practices" using "data-driven decisions" to positively impact student achievement. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 has provided educators a whole new set of catch phrases. As states, districts, and educators work to define…

Based on the belief that the popularity of accountability periodically waxes and wanes in education, this article outlines a bit of the history of the concept and defines and explains educational accountability. The author traces the roots of accountability back to the 1858 Newcastle report, the first comprehensive survey of English elementary…

Suggests that the most useful discussion of accountability, testing, and educational equity should occur at the conceptual level rather than the level of conflicting individual studies. Argues that statistical debates avoid larger foundational questions about the goals of schooling in our society and emphasizes the need for research on effective…

This paper examines the problems of centralized academic-indicator systems in light of the move toward site-based management. Problems with current practice are examined in the framework of critical inquiry. Alternatives to current accountability guidelines are presented that harmonize positivism with critical inquiry, while respecting both local…

This paper defines site-based budgeting as a tool for restructuring schools through meaningful participation. It also describes the legal dimensions of site-based budgeting, with an emphasis on Texas. The following legal principles are discussed: public oversight of public dollars, deregulation of governmental powers, equal protection,…

The views of seven urban Texas school districts with regard to educational improvement are represented in this paper. The importance of local control and a variety of program alternatives is explained. The need for tax relief in order to maintain legislatively mandated programs is discussed. Findings of two research studies with regard to…

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…

This paper explores the range of ways in which school districts are using Title I funds for early education through kindergarten and examines how the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has impacted those investments. It also makes recommendations for local education agencies (LEAs) interested in creating Title I-funded early education…

In 1989, the Texas State Board of Education undertook the responsibility for developing a 4-year plan and for establishing a vision for education that extends into the next century. This document contains the goals for education established by the 71st Texas legislature. The mission of public education in Texas is for it to be characterized by…

Addressing educational accountability concerns requires a new level of collaborative activity among state government, universities, local school districts, education service centers, professional associations, and the business community. Collaborative efforts can obtain greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness by using stakeholders' strengths to…

Major issues that will affect Texas higher education in the next decade are addressed. Data and information about the higher education system are presented, and an attempt is made to determine the impact of trends and issues upon colleges and universities. Concepts and perspectives on the appropriate response by higher education and planning…