Standards, Testing, and Accountability

A Realistic Perspective on High-Stakes Testing

We need to face up to the findings of three decades of research on the effects of test-based accountability and engage in a vigorous debate about how best to move forward

ByDaniel Koretz,

State Policies to Maximize the Utility of Testing Data

How assessments are administered and results are reported can make a difference.

ByMichael J. Petrilli,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability

Five Thoughts on Dan Koretz’s The Testing Charade

Harvard's Dan Koretz is just out with a thoughtful, immensely readable book that takes dead aim at test-based accountability.

ByFrederick Hess,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability

Researching the Ambiguities of School Accreditation

Are most schools accredited? Is accreditation required? Does accreditation even matter?

ByMelissa Fall,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability

Betsy DeVos Promotes Parents as First Line of Defense on School Accountability

But is the parent marketplace a good enough mechanism for gauging and producing effective schools of choice?

ByChester E. Finn, Jr.,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability

Support for Common Standards Has Rebounded

Local control has its place—but, as Americans told Education Next, it also has its limits.

ByMichael J. Petrilli,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability

How State ESSA Accountability Plans Can Shine a Statistically Sound Light on More Students

Pooling data across years and grades may provide an opportunity to include students in accountability systems in cases where subgroup size is otherwise too small.

ByNora Gordon,

Standards, Testing, and Accountability