Local Flexibility within an Accountability System

Authors

  • Benjamin Scafidi Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University
  • Catherine Freeman Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University
  • Stan DeJarnett Morgan County (GA) Public Schools

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v9n44.2001

Keywords:

Student Learning, Accountability, High Stakes Testing, Curriculum, rewards, Interventions, Performance, Flexibility

Abstract

Over the past decade, several states have created comprehensive accountability systems designed to increase student learning in public schools. These accountability systems are based on "high-stakes" standardized testing of a state curriculum. Rewards and interventions for local educators are based largely upon students' performance on these tests. Using the recent accountability reforms in Georgia as a backdrop, this article considers the role of local flexibility within such an accountability system--flexibility over paperwork, resources, personnel, and curriculum for local educators. Increased flexibility for local educators is not merely an option in a world where local educators are subject to a comprehensive accountability system imposed by a state--it is a requirement for success. We make a case for providing local flexibility and provides a discussion regarding types of flexibility, vehicles for granting flexibility, and who should receive flexibility.

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Author Biographies

Benjamin Scafidi, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University

Benjamin Scafidi is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Public Administration and Urban Studies in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. His research interests include education and urban policy. For the past two years he has served on the staff of the Governor's Education Reform Study Commission for the state of Georgia. Before joining the faculty at Georgia State, he served as a research associate at the Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy in the New York University School of Law, and as an analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses. He holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Catherine Freeman, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University

Catherine Freeman is Senior Research Associate in the Fiscal Research Program of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Her primary research work has been in school finance and education reform, and she has served on the staff of the Governor's Education Reform Study Commission for the state of Georgia. She holds a M.Ed. from The University of Texas- Austin and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Vanderbilt University.

Stan DeJarnett, Morgan County (GA) Public Schools

Stan DeJarnett is the Associate Superintendent of Morgan County, Georgia Public Schools. For the past two years he has served on the staff of the Governor's Education Reform Study Commission for the state of Georgia. He has over 20 years experience in public education, and he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in Educational Leadership.

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Published

2001-10-25

How to Cite

Scafidi, B., Freeman, C., & DeJarnett, S. (2001). Local Flexibility within an Accountability System. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v9n44.2001

Issue

Vol. 9 (2001)

Section

Articles