Quality Counts
Quality Counts 2014: District Disruption & Revival
School Systems Reshape to Compete--And Improve
January 9, 2014
- School & District Management District Pressure Cookers Test Recipes for SuccessBuffeted by social and fiscal forces, local educators seek new ways to approach governance.School & District Management School Systems Shake Up Organizational ModelLocal administrators grapple with a host of fiscal and educational pressures demanding a break from business as usual.School & District Management Views of a Changing School District LandscapeThe EdWeek Research Center delves into the complex "district" environment and administrators' perspectives on governance and operations.School & District Management Rival Strategies for Running Schools Put Memphis in Hot SeatA variety of approaches to running and improving the school system illustrate challenges facing local control.Budget & Finance Districts Adjust Spending to Post-Recession RealitySchool systems wrestle with how to best deploy their resources and staff as funding comes inching back.School Choice & Charters Charters Add Competitive Twist to District GovernanceThe rise of charter schools can present oversight challenges and put pressure on funding for local school systems.School Choice & Charters Voucher Programs Prove District-Finance Wild CardSchool choice options such as vouchers and tax-credit scholarships can complicate per-fiscal planning for local officials.School Choice & Charters Online Schools Prove Tough Rivals in Quest for Students, FundsThe rise of cyber charter schools is prodding many school districts to ramp up their own virtual-education offerings.School Choice & Charters Districts, Home-School Families Learn to Work With Each OtherThe once-tense relationship between public school districts and home schoolers is giving way to something more cordial, if complex.School & District Management State, Local Officials Square Off on Who Calls Shots on K-12Some school districts complain of intrusion from activist governors and state lawmakers, which often creates tension in state-local relationships.Federal Local Districts on Receiving End of Federal Support, HeadachesAn activist U.S. Department of Education can prove a complicated partner for school systems that receive money with plenty of strings attached.School & District Management Opinion Seeing Opportunities in 21st-Century ChallengesNew challenges and changing demographics pose opportunities for schools and leaders to grow, writes Superintendent McKell Withers.States Equity in Achievement, Funding Are Hurdles for States Amid ProgressQuality Counts 2014 rates states and the nation on key student-performance and finance indicators.Assessment Quality Counts 2014 - State Report CardsThis interactive map offers a quick way to examine State-by-State grades and summary data. The breakdown includes Chance for Success, K-12 Achievement and other indicators.Assessment Quality Counts 2014 - Grading CalculatorIn addition to the State Report Cards interactive map, this tool lets readers calculate grades for states based on weighting schemes that they devise themselves.States From Our Research Center Quality Counts 2014: State and National Highlights ReportsThe Quality Counts 2014 Highlights Reports capture all of the data you need to assess your state's performance in key areas.Education Funding Sources and NotesSchool choice options such as vouchers and tax-credit scholarships can complicate per-fiscal planning for local officials.