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Sector Spotlight
Michigan Enacts "Smart Charter Caps"
Michigan lawmakers approved legislation that lifts the charter school cap for "schools of excellence," or those with a track record of success. The measure, part of a larger Race to the Top package, was modeled after Education Sector's "smart caps" idea.
Miller on Federal Student Loan Changes
Education Sector Policy Analyst Ben Miller talks with Inside Higher Ed and The Chronicle of Higher Education about changes to the federal student loan program.
What Matters Most in Measuring
U.S. News & World Report's high school ranking system sets clear criteria for judging academic quality. And by doing so, Co-director Andrew Rotherham argues, it paints a better picture of how well these schools are educating students.
Some schools on Newsweek's list of America's Top 100 high schools have large achievement gaps, grossly shortchange disadvantaged groups, and have a substantial number of drop-outs.
IES to Evaluate Programs Launched Under Stimulus
Policy Director Kevin Carey among those recruited by IES to offer advice on an evaluation plan of ARRA education funding.
Media Room
Education Sector in the News
Assessing Accountability
- Web Address:
- http://www.insidehighered.com/
news/2009/07/01/states - Publication Date:
- July 1, 2009
- Publisher:
- Inside Higher Ed
From Inside Higher Ed 6/1/09:
"Most states don't have systems in place to measure college students' learning outcomes, and rare is the state that actually uses accountability data to drive policy decisions, a new report says.
Education Sector, a think tank promoting education reform, analyzed accountability systems across the nation and found varied results in its report, "Ready to Assemble: Grading State Higher Education Accountability Systems." The group's survey determined that 38 states have little if any system for measuring learning outcomes, adding that 36 states have yet to develop a method for linking college funding to performance.
"Accountability isn't just about gathering information; it's about doing something useful with it," said Kevin Carey, policy director for Education Sector.
"There's a lot of innovation for states to learn from," he added. "The bad news is I don't think any state has put together a complete package."
Education Sector measured states in 21 categories of accountability, analyzing any systems that might be in place to assess areas like affordability, degree production, research and scholarship. States that promote or require the use of assessment tools, and take steps to publicize the information, were given the highest marks. Those that had few tools for assessment and did little to spread information were graded lower.
Education Sector graded 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia on a three-grade scale. The highest grade, "best practice," was given to 10 states with well developed reporting mechanisms. The second ranking, "in progress," was given to 27 states that have less complete efforts underway. The lowest category, "needs improvement," went to 13 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, where little is being done in the way of accountability, according to Education Sector." ...
Read more from this article on Inside Higher Ed's Web site.