Is it Time to Turn the Page on Federal Accountability in Education?

With ESEA reauthorization looming, there’s much debate over the proper role for the federal government in holding schools accountable. In their recent ESEA Briefing Book, Fordham Institute President Chester E. Finn, Jr., and Executive Vice President Michael J. Petrilli argue that it’s time to turn the page on federally-mandated accountability (such as “Adequate Yearly Progress” and connected sanctions), since it can’t successfully be imposed from Washington. Instead, they say, Uncle Sam should ensure that education results and finances are transparent to the public—and leave it to the states and districts to do the rest.

Cynthia G. Brown Vice President Education Policy Center for American Progress	Daniel A. Domenech Executive Director American Association of School Administrators	Jennifer Marshall Director Domestic Policy Studies Heritage Foundation	Michael  J. Petrilli Executive Vice President Thomas B. Fordham Institute