This paper explores a countermovement that is emerging within an educational climate that highlights accountability, standardisation and performativity. This countermovement has become manifest in a rapid rise in the implementation and research of contemplative practices (e.g. mindfulness, yoga) across educational settings. The paper explores the…

The passage of the "Every Student Succeeds" Act (ESSA) provides states the opportunity to craft new goals and strategies for science education. By setting clear goals for science achievement, states can leverage existing policies, including assessments and graduation requirements, to help drive toward set goals. This brief provides a…

Charter schools have moved from being widely viewed as a marginal force in public education reform to taking on a central role in our national, state, and local debates around improving education. And a growing number of policymakers--including superintendents, mayors, governors, and even U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan--are using…

The article lists and discusses examples of social studies performance objectives developed by the state of Michigan for both elementary and secondary schools. (RM)

A list of behavioral objectives to be achieved by the Kalamazoo school system was drawn up for the period May 1, 1972 to June 30, 1973. Items in the list were designed to show the top priority directions for the school system and to serve as accountability criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the present administration. The objectives…

A list of behavioral objectives to be achieved by the Kalamazoo school system was drawn up for the period 1973-74. Items in the list were designed to show the top priority directions for the school system and to serve as accountability criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the present administration. Accountability is conceived in terms of…

This report discusses one elementary school's implementation of a system of teaching and testing by objectives in compliance with a Michigan State Board of Education accountability model. The model used by the school called for (1) goals developed by each building; (2) performance objectives identified for subdivisions of schools, for teachers,…

All students, including students with disabilities, must be included in state accountability systems as required by law. In April 2007, federal regulations provided states the flexibility to offer another assessment option--an Alternate Assessment based on Modified Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) for some students with disabilities. The AA-MAS is…

In an effort to reward excellence and discourage mediocrity, an accountability-based salary system has been implemented for all administrators in the Kalamazoo school system. Administrator salaries are adjusted for performance and/or reclassification reasons. Judgments of performance are based on the extent to which an administrator achieves…

Accountability as a concept refers to little more than "common sense" management wherein outcomes of various programs and practices are measured, and this information is used as feedback for making appropriate changes and recording progress. The core of the Kalamazoo accountability model is the development of a management information…

This document presents a discussion aimed at relating organizational aims and operational objectives to the total educational picture in Michigan. The document views the educational needs of children and youth as a continuum beginning at about age 3 and ending (for elementary and secondary purposes) at about age 18. The premise of the continuum is…

Describes the development of a 6-step accountability model created to identify Statewide educational goals and to provide some means of measuring performance in relation to those goals. (Author/DN)

Among nearly 40 States attempting to apply the accountability principle to school operation by legislative fiat, Michigan is clearly a leader. This exhaustive study reveals disturbing defects in Michigan's plan, particularly in the assessment component. (Editor)

This booklet is intended to aid classroom teachers in implementing the accountability model developed by the Michigan Department of Education. The authors discuss and provide examples of each of the accountability model's six steps--1) identification of goals, 2) performance objectives, 3) assessment of needs, 4) analysis of delivery systems, 5)…

Accountability currently is an important concept throughout education. Michigan has assumed leadership among the States in exploring and applying accountability procedures. The purpose of this report is to examine the quality and implications of that leadership. Specifically, the authors' purpose is to assess the Michigan Accountability System…