Holistic Accountability : Serving Students, Schools, and Community

by Douglas B. Reeves

• ISBN13: 9780761978329
• ISBN10: 0761978321
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-15
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

"In Holistic Accountability, Reeves succeeds in recasting the accountability dilemma into a win-win plan for school administrators who are weary of the test score sweepstakes and for policy makers who are demanding results. It is an excellent approacha??one that is sound, reasonable, comprehensive, and relevant. The accompanying sample accountability reports are very useful." a??School Business Affairs, October 2002 Accountability is more than just test scores! Nationally recognized expert on assessment, Dr. Douglas B. Reeves, offers a comprehensive program of holistic accountability, a system that includes not only test scores but also the instructional and leadership practices at a school. Holistic accountability systems yield information about curriculum, assessment, and instruction that can lead directly and swiftly to better practices and better decision making for teachers, school leaders, and policymakers. This essential guide explores the four building blocks of accountability: structure, collaboration, implementation, and communication. Dr. Reeves offers a complete, practical program that can have a profoundly positive impact on students, teachers, and parents. This practical and powerful book: Links accountability and academic standards Includes three case studies of effective accountability systems Explains how to communicate about educational accountability Contains sample reports adaptable to any school or system . . . always focusing on the central purpose of accountability: the improvement of student achievement. Educators, administrators, school leaders, school board members, school leadership teams, and parents can make use of this groundbreaking work to improve accountability policies at the classroom, school, or district level.

Author Biography

Douglas B. Reeves is the chairman and founder of the International Center for Educational Accountability, a nonprofit organization, and the Center for Performance Assessment.

Table of Contents

About the Author	x
Series Editors' Introduction	xi
Introduction	xiii
How You Can Use This Book	xiii
Keys to Holistic Accountability	xiv
Acknowledgments	xv
What Is Holistic Accountability?	1	(7)
The Central Purpose of Accountability	1	(1)
The Structure of Accountability Systems: Fragmentary or Holistic?	2	(1)
The Elements of Holistic Accountability	3	(3)
Information and Evidence in a Holistic Accountability System	6	(2)
Caught in the Middle: The Consequences of Accountability	8	(11)
Accountability Myths	9	(3)
Consequences for Students	12	(2)
Consequences for Teachers	14	(2)
Consequences for Administrators	16	(1)
Impact on Community Leaders and Policymakers	17	(1)
Conclusion	18	(1)
A Better Way: Using Holistic Accountability to Improve Teaching and Learning	19	(10)
Research Informs Practice	19	(2)
Practice Provides Evidence	21	(2)
Evidence Informs Leadership	23	(3)
Leadership Allocates Resources	26	(1)
Resources Support Effective Research, Teaching Practice, and Leadership	27	(1)
Accountability: A Work in Progress	28	(1)
Community Collaboration: Making Accountability a Constructive Force	29	(10)
Building Bridges: The Accountability Task Force	29	(1)
Beyond ``The Usual Suspects''	30	(2)
Job Description for Accountability Task Force Members	32	(1)
Duties of the Accountability Task Force	32	(3)
Coordinating and Communicating With the Task Force	35	(2)
Building Consensus: The Limits of ``Rules of Procedure''	37	(1)
Task Force Leadership	38	(1)
Conclusion	38	(1)
Accountability and Academic Standards: The Essential Connection	39	(10)
Beyond the Bell Curve	39	(3)
Standards for Student Achievement	42	(1)
Standards for Curriculum	43	(1)
Standards for Teaching Practice	44	(2)
Standards for Policymakers and Leaders	46	(1)
Standards for Accountability Systems	47	(1)
Conclusion	47	(2)
Models of Effective Accountability Systems	49	(6)
Components of an Effective Accountability Model	49	(1)
Accountability System Design	50	(1)
Case Studies in Effective Accountability Practice	50	(4)
Conclusion	54	(1)
Ten Steps to Creating a Holistic Accountability System	55	(16)
Collaboration: Establish the Accountability Task Force	55	(2)
Lead with Values: Create Accountability Principles	57	(4)
Define the Real World: Identify the Current Accountability System	61	(1)
Design the Framework: Accountability System Architecture	62	(1)
The Devil in the Details: Conduct a Critical Review of Accountability Plan Design	62	(2)
Measure What You Value: Systemwide Indicators	64	(2)
Strategies for Achieving the Values: School-Based Indicators	66	(1)
Communicating About Accountability: Reports to Stakeholders	67	(1)
Lead by Example: Central Office Accountability	68	(1)
The Holistic Accountability Cycle: Use Accountability to Improve Teaching, Learning, and Leadership	69	(1)
Conclusion	69	(2)
Rhetoric and Reason: Communicating About Educational Accountability	71	(8)
Communication: Multiple Paths and Multiple Channels	71	(2)
The ``Customer'' Is Not Always Right	73	(1)
What's Worth Fighting for Out There?	73	(1)
Strategic Communication of Accountability Information	74	(2)
Accountability Information on the Internet	76	(1)
Conclusion	76	(3)
Appendix A: Sample Accountability Reports	79	(12)
Wellington Elementary School	80	(3)
Greenleaf Middle School	83	(3)
Bainbridge High School	86	(3)
Sample Central Office Report: Departmental Narrative	89	(2)
Appendix B: Resources for Accountability Systems	91	(3)
Organizations	91	(2)
Web Sites	93	(1)
References	94	(2)
Bibliography	96	(1)
Index	97