Article Review on The Concept of School Accountability in America

This article presents a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of school accountability in America. Education is currently a focal point on the national political agenda; it is a common goal across political affiliations to enhance the performance of schools in the United States. However, this consensus often dissolves when discussions pivot to specific strategies for improving school performance.

The Challenge of School Accountability

In my own school district, we are grappling with the same dilemma: "How can we become a successful school district?" and "Are we at risk of state takeover?" The concept of school accountability encompasses a broad spectrum of ideas. These can include leveraging political processes to ensure accountability, introducing market-based approaches to enhance responsibility to parents and students, or creating peer-based accountability systems to bolster the professional accountability of teachers. The most frequently referenced definition of accountability focuses on data-driven tools aimed at increasing student achievement.

Throughout my reading of this article, I identified several stakeholders involved in the discourse on school accountability. These include engaged outsiders, such as entrepreneurs and representatives from the business community, school board members, educational administrators, policy advocates from various organizations, and researchers affiliated with universities and think tanks. Importantly, parents also play a crucial role as stakeholders since they have children attending these schools. The stakeholders were divided into four focus groups that engaged in discussions and observations regarding school accountability.

Diverse Perspectives on Accountability

What stood out to me was the diversity of perspectives on what accountability means among these focus groups. Some groups emphasized school outcomes, while others concentrated on the processes and implementations within schools. Certain focus groups recognized the successes stemming from the accountability movement, particularly in terms of equity, transparency, data literacy for schools and families, and improvements in test scores. According to Savvy Decision Making, the data collected from focus groups can help stakeholders understand a range of opinions on a topic and comprehend those opinions effectively.

Accountability Systems and Their Importance

Accountability systems serve as essential tools for informing parents and communities about school progress and achievements. These systems establish expectations for what constitutes an effective school, signaling that states, districts, and schools must enhance achievements for all student groups, including both high performers and underachievers. It is crucial for all stakeholders to recognize their vital roles and understand that their opinions matter. For instance:

• Parents' expectations are pivotal in shaping school performance.
• Educators' insights regarding what children should learn and the methods of instruction are fundamental.
• Political entities play a significant role, as they provide funding for education and have specific expectations for outcomes.

When public funds are allocated to educate children, the public has both the right and obligation to be informed about students' academic performances. Parents and community members seek assurance that students are acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for success in college and careers. Schools that utilize public funding yet fail to demonstrate educational efficacy must be held accountable and urged to enhance their educational standards. This is a primary reason many school districts face state takeovers or receive improvement grants. Rothstein, Jacobson, and Wilder illustrate that educational stakeholders value a broad range of outcomes, encompassing not just academic performance and educational attainment, but also attributes like citizenship, work ethic, and critical thinking skills.

The Impact of Accountability Measures

In summary, the accountability measures implemented by numerous states and the federal government are likely to influence how schools operate. This is indeed the intent of such policies. Each year, new education policies are enacted at both national and state levels. However, policymakers must be cautious when designing these systems to prevent schools from manipulating their resources unethically and to ensure that schools designated as 'exceptional' or 'failing' have genuinely earned those ratings.

Having served as an administrator for the past five years, I have come to understand that education is deeply intertwined with political dynamics. It is central to many challenges facing public education today. The situation resembles a tug-of-war: one side advocates for increased funding while evading accountability for results, while the other emphasizes local control and unregulated school choice. Navigating this complex landscape requires a commitment to genuine accountability, ensuring that all stakeholders work together to improve educational outcomes for every student.

References

Rothstein, R., Jacobson, L., & Wilder, T. (Year). Title of the Reference. Publisher.

Savvy Decision Making. (Year). Title of the Reference. Publisher.