Refining Statewide School Accountability Systems: Lessons from Innovative State Approaches under ESSA
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| Title: | Refining Statewide School Accountability Systems: Lessons from Innovative State Approaches under ESSA |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mitch Herz, Mel Wylen, WestEd |
| Source: | WestEd. 2025. |
| Availability: | WestEd. 730 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1242. Tel: 877-493-7833; Tel: 415-565-3000; Fax: 415-565-3012; Web site: http://www.wested.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 50 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Intended Audience: | Policymakers |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Educational Improvement, Accountability, Educational Change, Educational Policy, Educational Quality, Alignment (Education), State Policy, Program Implementation, School Districts, State Government, Government Role, Change Strategies, Program Evaluation, Educational Practices |
| Geographic Terms: | Ohio, Utah, Nebraska, Kentucky |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Every Student Succeeds Act 2015 |
| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, federal education policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have sought to improve school performance through accountability systems. As states emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, many began exploring ways to expand accountability beyond ESSA requirements. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that the traditional federal framework may not fully capture the complexity of student learning and school performance in today's educational landscape. This white paper documents how states are rethinking and refining their accountability systems to better align improvement efforts with student outcomes. It highlights innovative approaches adopted since ESSA's enactment, explores lessons learned from four detailed case studies, and identifies promising practices that can guide both state and federal policymakers with the goal of fostering more flexible accountability systems nationwide. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED677595 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, federal education policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have sought to improve school performance through accountability systems. As states emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, many began exploring ways to expand accountability beyond ESSA requirements. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that the traditional federal framework may not fully capture the complexity of student learning and school performance in today's educational landscape. This white paper documents how states are rethinking and refining their accountability systems to better align improvement efforts with student outcomes. It highlights innovative approaches adopted since ESSA's enactment, explores lessons learned from four detailed case studies, and identifies promising practices that can guide both state and federal policymakers with the goal of fostering more flexible accountability systems nationwide. |
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