Education

Accountability Should Deemphasize Test Scores, Researcher Argues

January 23, 2008 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

In most conversations about the future of NCLB, policy wonks and politicians point to growth models as the fix for what ails the law’s accountability system.

But researcher Helen F. Ladd suggests that growth models probably aren’t enough. In a commentary in the current issue of Education Week, Ladd writes: “Test-based accountability has not generated the significant gains in student achievement that proponents—however they perceived the problem to be solved—intended.”

Instead, she proposes that accountability systems should assess students in core subjects—not just reading and mathematics, as NCLB does. Schools would be judged against “realistically obtainable gains in student performance.” In addition to test scores, independent teams that would “evaluate school[s] on a far broader set of outcomes than student test scores alone.”

The approach is expensive, Ladd acknowledges, but probably would deliver results that would be worth the cost. “It is time for policymakers and researchers to engage in serious investigation of this alternative model of accountability,” she concludes.

With NCLB’s renewal starting again from scratch, perhaps these ideas will emerge in the debate. Ladd’s essay is based on a November lecture, which you can read here.

Also in current issue of Education Week, the Federal File mentions the first stop of Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings’ pro-NCLB tour. She found some support from Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Democrat. Spellings made other stops in Oregon and southern California. But this week she’s in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum.

A version of this news article first appeared in the NCLB: Act II blog.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Inside PLCs: Proven Strategies from K-12 Leaders
Join an expert panel to explore strategies for building collaborative PLCs, overcoming common challenges, and using data effectively.
Content provided by Otus
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Science Webinar
Making Science Stick: The Engaging Power of Hands-On Learning
How can you make science class the highlight of your students’ day while
achieving learning outcomes? Find out in this session.
Content provided by LEGO Education
Teaching Profession Key Insights to Elevate and Inspire Today’s Teachers
Join this free half day virtual event to energize your teaching and cultivate a positive learning experience for students.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz News Quiz: Feb. 6, 2025: Reading Scores | Curriculum | Trump 'Indoctrination' Order | and More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Image of books on a shelf.
Illustration by Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Education Briefly Stated: February 5, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz News Quiz: Jan. 30, 2025: Interim Ed. Dept. Leader | Navigating Immigration Policies | Teacher Evaluations | And More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. His administration's order to pause potentially trillions of dollars in federal spending this week sent school districts scrambling to figure out which funds might be halted.
President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. His administration's order to pause potentially trillions of dollars in federal spending this week sent school districts scrambling to figure out which funds might be halted.
Al Drago/AP
Education Briefly Stated: January 29, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read