Assessment/Accountability
School and District Accountability and Assistance

School and District Accountability and Assistance System: Current Updates

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) is currently in the process of developing a new framework for district and school accountability and assistance in accordance with August 2008 changes to M.G.L. c. 15, § 55A.

In response to changes to the statute shifting full responsibility for district accountability from the former Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (EQA) to ESE, ESE has established:

• Goals for a new accountability and assistance system;
• A draft framework for accountability and assistance;
• A new Center for School and District Accountability;
• An advisory council; and
• A report of progress presented to the Board on February 24, 2009.

Goals for a New Accountability and Assistance System

1. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) adopts a comprehensive, coordinated, clear, realistic, and fair framework with accompanying statutory language and regulations to effectively guide the Commonwealth's accountability and targeted assistance work with the ultimate goal of accelerating the rate of improvement in teaching and learning in all of the Commonwealth's schools.

2. ESE develops and disseminates an annual district and school trend profile that forms a basis for:

   1. Applying accountability standards that are widely considered valid and useful;
   2. Targeting and accelerating district and school self-improvement work;
   3. Identifying exemplary district and school practices; and
   4. Providing parents and residents with useful, accessible information about the effectiveness of their districts and schools, as well as their investments in them.
   
   

3. ESE develops and applies criteria for entry and exit from an "accountability status" that are explicit, transparent, measurable, and widely considered valid and useful.

4. ESE develops and ensures effective use of research-based audit and intervention standards, processes and protocols that support continuous improvement (learning) by districts, schools and ESE.

5. ESE develops and ensures effective use of assistance and intervention tools, models, and other resources to support continuous improvement (learning) by districts, schools and ESE.

6. ESE designs and implements an expanded statewide system of assistance.

7. ESE develops effective ways to monitor, assess and continuously improve its own work in accountability and assistance.

Draft Framework for Accountability and Assistance

   Presented at the February 24, 2009, BESE meeting

Center for School and District Accountability

In the Division of Accountability, Partnership, and Assistance, the Center for School and District Accountability is responsible for school and district accountability reviews and for intervention planning and monitoring. The Review Implementation unit conducts reviews to meet state accountability requirements created to inform the decision-making of districts, the Department, and policy-makers. Accountability reviews examine district performance and identify exemplary practices as well as needed improvements. For districts in need of intervention, the Intervention Planning and Monitoring unit collaborates with ESE assistance units and districts to develop recovery plans, and then monitors their implementation.

Advisory Council

The Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council (AAAC) was formed in 2008, as required by the August 2008 changes to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 15, § 55A. Its 15 members include 6 selected from among nominees offered by 6 stakeholder groups representing teachers, administrators, school committees, and charter schools; 1 representative of business/industry "with a demonstrated commitment to education"; and 8 at-large members with a "demonstrated record of achievement or academic expertise" in areas related to accountability and assistance. It is expected to meet at least four times annually.

Questions

Please contact Eva Mitchell at emitchell@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3502.