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High Expectations

Grading the Systems: The guide to state standards, tests, and accountability policies

Chester E. Finn, Jr. Richard W. Cross Theodor Rebarber
1.30.2004
1.30.2004

Co-published by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation and AccountabilityWorks, with support from the Smith Richardson Foundation, this report looks at six elements of K-12 accountability systems in 30 different states. Each state is rated on standards, test content, alignment of tests to standards, test rigor, testing trustworthiness and openness, and accountability policies. The major conclusion: while some states have the basis of a sophisticated and rigorous accountability system in place, no state has every element of a serious standards-based education reform package in place. And few states are as open to evaluation as they ought to be.


Policy Priority:
High Expectations
Topics:
Accountability & Testing
Standards
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Chester E. Finn, Jr., scholar, educator and public servant, has devoted his career to improving education in the United States. At Fordham, he is now Distinguished Senior Fellow and President Emeritus. He’s also a Volker Senior Fellow at…

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Richard W. Cross
Theodor Rebarber

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