The Source

A digital magazine focused on education thought leadership.
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Topic: Continuous Improvement

Suggested Reading

Suggested Reading

This Is the Summer of Race and Equity in Education by Anna Baldwin, Education Post. This 2014 Montana State Teacher of the Year writes about her experience as a white high school teacher and The Summer of Equity. In her article she urges her colleagues to speak up about issues of equity even... Read the full article >
Designing State Accountability Systems for Continuous School Improvement: A Call to Action

Designing State Accountability Systems for Continuous School Improvement: A Call to Action

Over the past 60 years, we as a nation have sought to improve our education system and focus on equity, excellence, school choice, and standards and accountability.[1] Each wave of reform has been led by different combinations of leaders and stakeholders: government officials, educators, parents, and activists (focused on equity);... Read the full article >
California’s Accountability System Shows the Way

California’s Accountability System Shows the Way

Section 8 of 10. Not long ago, California used test scores as a single measure to identify progress, but policymakers sought to eliminate the state’s Academic Performance Index (API) system. When lawmakers adopted a new funding system, the state contracted with a research organization to develop new measures and rubrics.... Read the full article >
Changing the Role of the State Education Agency (SEA)

Changing the Role of the State Education Agency (SEA)

Section 9 of 10. America must be courageous and create a system of accountability that is not punitive but instead is learner centric and focused on continuous improvement. In this system, failure is an opportunity for learning and collaboration. Outside forces do not dictate action. Local improvement measures (about school... Read the full article >
Establishing a State Framework for Continuous Improvement Accountability

Establishing a State Framework for Continuous Improvement Accountability

Section 7 of 10. Instead of modifying or improving on existing systems, states should take the opportunity under the Every Student Succeeds Act to acknowledge lessons learned, wipe the slate clean and envision a forward-thinking education system. Defining Purpose and Direction To map out the parameters of a new system,... Read the full article >
Continuous Improvement and Accountability

Continuous Improvement and Accountability

Section 4 of 10. Though continuous improvement processes are not new in education practice, they are relatively new in the state policy arena. In the past, state-level strategies for improving educational outcomes at the school and system levels were driven by federal and state requirements and centered largely on the... Read the full article >
Moving to a Next-Generation Accountability System

Moving to a Next-Generation Accountability System

Section 3 of 10. Expedience should not lead us to recreate what we had or choose indicators based on what is easiest to measure. We need to create a system that gathers information about all aspects of what schools do (from teaching and learning to resource allocation to governance), reveals... Read the full article >
What a Continuous Improvement Accountability System Needs to Do

What a Continuous Improvement Accountability System Needs to Do

Section 5 of 10. Accountability systems should be designed to emphasize equilibrium, balancing school responsibility to do what states require with state responsibility to provide needed resources and support in schools.[7] An accountability system also needs to recognize that schools are multifaceted organizations, shaped by the interplay of any number... Read the full article >
What a Continuously Improving System Looks Like

What a Continuously Improving System Looks Like

Section 6 of 10. Key features include: Learning supports (materials and professional development) for the continuous improvement of curriculum, teaching, assessment and student support strategies; Information systems for keeping track of what schools and districts are doing and to what effect; Ongoing review of school and district efforts and outcomes,... Read the full article >
Generation Beta: Exposing Every Student to STEM

Generation Beta: Exposing Every Student to STEM

... Read the full article >