Big States, Big Results

New York and Texas see a connection between their early decisions to raise expectations for public schools and the progress their students have made toward closing gaps in academic achievement.

By David J. Hoff

New York and Texas appear to be as different as two states can get.

New York is the neon-bright of Broadway; Texas, the bright lights of football fields. The heart of New York’s economy is Wall Street; the Texas economy revolves around petroleum and agriculture. In political shorthand, New York is blue, Texas red.

Yet a look at the educational policies of each state over the past decade reveals more similarities than differences—and suggests the part that accountability initiatives can play in fostering...