The opinion piece argues that student assessment and school accountability, though unglamorous, are essential for improving educational outcomes. It compares accountability to broccoli, emphasizing its importance despite lacking excitement compared to other reforms. State leaders are urged to prioritize these elements in their policies to ensure better results for students.
Key Points
- Accountability and assessments are vital but often overlooked in education reform.
- They lack the appeal of high-profile initiatives but are crucial for student success.
- States should integrate more accountability measures into their education policies.
Implications for Educational Freedom
Increased accountability could enhance educational freedom by providing parents with transparent data on school performance, empowering informed choices in vouchers, charters, and ESAs. However, it must be balanced to avoid government overreach that limits parental rights.
Source: Opinion: Accountability Is the Broccoli of Education Reform. States Must Eat More of It