Four literature reviews found that cooperative learning methods using group rewards and individual accountability consistently increase student achievement more than control methods in elementary and secondary classrooms. More research is needed to gauge cooperative learning's effectiveness at senior high and college levels and for instilling…

Through a new curriculum model called World Class Education, Virginia hopes to encourage its schools to transform themselves voluntarily. The program is guided by six principles: focus on outcomes, school accountability, the assumption that all students can learn, the importance of collaboration and teamwork, the connectivity of learning, and the…

Discusses the need for developing accurate assessment methods and establishing a common standard for all students through a voluntary national examination system. School-based management programs and models of excellence will not affect the vast majority of schools. States and districts must make strategic moves and comprehensive policy changes…

Some educators believe that authentic, performance-based assessments can drive instructional improvement. The Kentucky Education Reform Act uses a measure-driven instructional approach (the Kentucky Instructional Results Information Program) that evaluates student portfolios in writing and mathematics, achievement on performance events, and scores…

In 1995, the Virginia Board of Education adopted sweeping new Standards of Learning (SOL) outlining minimally accepted K-12 academic-achievement goals. The program has four components: high academic standards, tests to measure student progress, accreditation measures to ensure accountability for student achievement, and annual school-performance…

Faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are improving their understanding of teaching and learning through an innovative system combining collaborative accountability and professional development. CADRE (Career Development Reinforcing Excellence) centers around a network characterized by collective educational goals, self- and…

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…

The importance of educational accountability and assessment literacy is recognized as a long-term challenge to the educational system. The complexities in becoming an assessment literate and provide an opportunity to the educators to display their effective learning is discussed.

Some of the recent studies show that the public's skepticism is increasing regarding the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The percentage of voters and parents who opposed NCLB has grown substantially, as school improvement and accountability is one thing, but high stake testing and withholding federal funds from schools that are under performing…

How has No Child Left Behind (NCLB) affected you, your students, or your school? Educational Leadership wanted to know so we asked readers to tell us their stories. Some respondents questioned whether NCLB acknowledged the true purpose of education, many bemoan the seeming necessity of having to "teach to the test," and some have…

Research evidence shows that cooperative learning strategies are not equally effective, though most positively affect self-esteem, intergroup relations, and the ability to work with others. To produce achievement gains, these methods must include both a group goal and individual accountability. Includes 19 references. (MLH)

Suggests that educational accountability is basically a simplistic application of business administration models to education and argues that accountability has failed to deal with the complexities of the school environment, to provide a conceptual framework appropriate to educational settings, or to provide means for developing viable alternative…

Describes several instructional strategies middle-school science teacher uses to teach students to read and write about science. (Contains 12 references.) (PKP)

Disagrees with John Chubb and Terry Moe's proposal to manage public education according to market principles. America's hope for education is in the hands of the people, through participatory, accountable, and representative governance, not in the vagaries and disorder of the economic marketplace. Public schools and the economic marketplace must…

Two priorities of a Colorado elementary school (increasing the quality of parent-school partnerships and modeling and building student self-esteem) led to the school's parent-observation process. An accountability team selected two parent-observers, who worked with the principal and two teachers to develop a training guide, an observation outline,…