In 2011, Indiana lawmakers established a system to evaluate teachers using existing standardized assessments as an indicator of student learning. In this study we examined one component of Indiana's evaluation system to determine whether student knowledge of the test's consequences is predictive of test performance. Using an experimental design,…

Discusses ways to avoid problems when developing and planning performance contracts. (JF)

This report on OEO's educational voucher experiment sets forth the structure of the OEO proposals and the reasons for the experiment, outlines its advantages, and discusses criticisms of educational vouchers. According to the author, this voucher system makes schools more accountable to parents, and provides a wider range of choices for the poor,…

This report provides an overview of educational vouchers. The paper outlines a history of the development of the educational voucher idea, examines the OEO proposed educational voucher experiment, and discusses advantages and disadvantages of the system. A summary of State voucher plans is also provided. A related document is EA 003 418. (JF)

Author considers contributions comparative education can make to teacher training and concludes that it can be a desirable component of teacher education programs. (CB)

Charter schools incorporate the focus of magnet schools but often go beyond their academic specialization to more social goals. They can operate at both elementary and secondary levels, although they are always quite small. The greatest difference, however, between charter schools and other public schools is their status as a bridge between public…

A preliminary report on performance contracting in the Wichita school district. (RY)

Describes the Alum Rock voucher experiment concluding that the voucher system represents a profound structural change. Parents and students have expressed great satisfaction; pupil achievement was probably down during the first year -- but up during the second. An income-outgo budgeting system has been developed which may be the most equitable…

Author focused on the basic principles that should inform educational theory and methodology. (Author/RK)

In 1973 the Michigan Department of Education and the Cooperative Accountability Project attempted to develop a greater understanding of the problems which might be associated with dissemination of information about educational accountability programs. From this project three papers resulted that outlined a potential dissemination model designed to…

Discusses the development of payment by results, an educational system practiced in England and Wales during the latter half of the nineteenth century. (Author/RK)

Author gives some historical precedents for performance contracting and educational accountability, both having been tried 100 years ago. (MB)

An appraisal of performance contracting in an upper income school district. (JF)