Educational Accountability in an

Era of Global Decentralization

William G. Huitt
Valdosta State University

Last Revised: April 2006

Movement to the Industrial Age

Importance of Schooling
Preparing a educated citizenship has
never been more important
20th century economy
Agriculture-based
Industrial-based
Information-based

Schooling to the Industrial Age

Standardization (interchangeable parts)
Outcomes (effectiveness)
Process (efficiency)

Leadership (new opportunities)

Management (established opportunities)

Schooling to the Industrial Age

Standardization (interchangeable parts)
Outcomes (effectiveness)
Process (efficiency)

Exemplified in Carnegie units &

standardized testing
Leadership gave way to management

Schooling in the Industrial Age

High school graduation
10% in 1900
75% in 1975

Accompanied by substantial increases in

productivity

Adoption of the Automobile

Source: Alexander, M. (2001). The innovation wave and secular market trends. Retrieved November 2004, from
http://www.safehaven.com/article-71.htm

Information-Age Megatrends
Importance of technology
Computers
Internet

Speed of change
Global economy
Customized economy
Decentralization
Decreased importance of manufacturing
Increased importance of distribution

Decentralizaton
Important decisions made at level of
implementation
Standards
Curricula
Evaluation

Adopt prepared or develop own

Schools must demonstrate value-added
Outside agencies audit performance

Customized Economy
Consumers select product or service that
best meet their needs
Who is/are the consumer(s) of schooling?
Students
Parents
Society

Making good choices requires reliable and

valid data

Rapid Rate of Change

Requires change in goals and activities
Must simultaneously maintain or
renegotiate values and principles

School Choice
School choice is increasingly becoming an
option for parents and students
By 2003, 25% of K-12 students in the US
were not attending neighborhood public
school
Neighborhood public school attendance
decreased 7.5% in 10 years

School Choice
Use of vouchers declining
Private schools (2001)
29,273 schools
5.3 million students

Homeschooling (2003)
1.1 million students

Together accounted for 13% of schoolaged children

School Choice
Magnet schools (2001)
1,736 total schools; ~ 1.4 million students
Decline from 2400 schools and 3200
programs within schools in 1992
Over 25 themes

Business and finance

Ecology and the environment
Justice and the law
Travel and tourism

School Choice
Magnet schools (2001)
11 of 100 largest school districts have more
than 20% of students attending magnet
school
3 have more than 40%

School Choice
Charter schools (2004)
2,996 total schools
~700,000 students; 37 states
28% increase from 1997
73% in 10 states
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Michigan

Ohio
Pennsylvania
North Carolina
Texas
Wisconsin

School Choice
Magnet and Charter Schools
~ 4% of total enrollment

Open enrollment
32 states enacted legislation
~ 4 million students; 8% of total enrollment

Accountability
Accountability has always been a major
challenge
Four major methods of accountability
Bureaucratic
Professional
Performance
Market

Accountability
Bureaucratic and Professional dominated
school accountability systems throughout
the 20th century
High school graduate rates increased
10% in 1900
70% in 1975
74% in 2003

Accountability
Movement to information-age
Decentralization
Customized economy
Rapid rate of change

Increased emphasis on
Performance
Choice/Market

Accountability
Every school needs to have
Philosophy and identified values
Vision and mission statements
Curricula and performance standards
Minimum, passing
National, proficient
Global, world class

Accountability
Every school needs to have
Identified learning and developmental
theories, methods of instruction, lesson plans,
etc.
Formative/process assessment
Educators
Students

Summative/product assessment
Qualitative
Quantitative

Accountability
Every school needs to have
Staff training and development
Records of
Financial transactions
Training and certifications of professional and nonprofessional staff

Method of communication with students,

parents, agencies

New Opportunities
Develop simple, workable approaches to
strategic planning
Philosophy
Vision
Mission
Values

Use technology as appropriate

New Opportunities
Develop simple, technology-based
approaches to developing and sharing
Curriculum standards
Performance standards
Processes of assessment and evaluation
Producing annual reports
Communicating with students, parents, and
other stakeholders

Summary
Diversity and choice will continue to grow
Federal and state agencies should
facilitate development
Curricula
Pedagogy
Accountability systems
Means of communication and networking

Summary
Diversity and choice will continue to grow
Teacher training institutions should
facilitate
Educator training to implement different
curricula
Communication and networking within their
geographical area

Summary
People take different roads seeking
fulfillment and happiness. Just because
theyre not on your road doesnt mean
theyve gotten lost.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Lifes Little Instruction Book

Make A Great Day!