Benchmarking Best Practices in Accountability Systems in Education

"Benchmarking Best Practices in Accountability Systems" presents the results of a study performed in conjunction with 13 major urban school systems, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Council of Great City Schools. Accountability systems are the systematic collection of input, process, and outcome data, as well as the use of these data, to make decisions about the effectiveness of schools, districts, or states. Successful practices are discussed from seven major components of a world-class accountability system: leadership, climate/context, operations, human resources, data measurement/management, communications, and standards for teaching/learning.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary - Tab A:

• Overview and Study Background
• Study Sponsors
• Best-Practice Partner Organizations
• Study Scope
• Benchmarking Methodology
• Acknowledgments

Section One: Key Observations - Tab B:

• Leadership/Alignment
• Climate/Context
• Operations
• Human Resources
• Data Management/Measurement
• Communications
• Standards for Teaching and Learning

Section Two: Case Studies - Tab C:

• Brazosport Independent School District
• Houston Independent School District
• Memphis City Schools
• Nortel Networks
• Seattle Public Schools
• St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital