John W. Oswald and Theodor Rebarber, AccountabilityWorks and the Education Leaders Council
June 2002
In this oddly titled report, AccountabilityWorks and the Education Leaders Council (ELC) describe 25 "innovations" in state testing programs that they found in the eleven states participating in the ELC. Authors John W. Oswald and Theodor Rebarber spend 17 pages outlining these under two main headings (immediate innovations and longer-term changes) and according to their significance. Some of it is a bit obvious (e.g. computer scoring, reliable links between test records and student records) though it all seems worthwhile. Unfortunately, this brief report only sketches these individual innovations (and their "benefits" and "challenges"); it does not delve deeply into an explanation of how they work. You can find a PDF version at State Innovation Priorities for State Testing Programs.
