As researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners focus on continuous improvement in education, local-level change is gaining importance. Yet, many local school improvement efforts fail to be fully implemented. Even those that are fully implemented often fail to sustain improvements because the schools are embedded in systems that face multiple…

With student outcomes assessment, institutions can refocus priorities so that educational quality is based on what and how much students learn. Value-added/talent development and outcomes measures, and models of student outcomes assessment (program improvement, gatekeeping functions, and budget decisions and accountability) are discussed. (MLW)