The Accountability Illusion

This study examines the No Child Left Behind Act system and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) rules for 28 states. We selected 36 real schools (half elementary, half middle) that vary by size, achievement, diversity, etc. and determined which of them would or would not make AYP when evaluated under each state's accountability rules. If a school that made AYP in Washington were relocated to Wisconsin or Ohio, would that same school make AYP there? Based on this analysis, we can see how AYP varies across the country and evaluate the effectiveness of NCLB.

National report:
Executive Summary | Foreword | Preface | Introduction & Methodology | Findings & Limitations | Discussion | Appendices | References

Press materials:
"The Accountability Illusion" in a nutshell  |  Press release  |  Powerpoint presentation | About Fordham | About NWEA | An Interview with Fordham's Checker Finn  |  10-page policy brief

Fix that failing school! Click here for the full-size video game.

Compare data from the 28 states in our study. Click here for the full-size map.

The Accountability Illusion has been discussed all over the country, from South Carolina to Texas to Wisconsin. Here are a few highlights:

The teacher-in-chief speaks
The Economist, March 12, 2009

Stimulating a Race to the Top
Education Week, March 11, 2009 (in print)

Stimulus money could help reshape Md. schools
Baltimore Sun, March 9, 2009

Hold education standards high
Boston Herald, March 1, 2009

Study: No Child Standards Vary Widely From State To State
The Associated Press, February 19, 2009

Study: No Child Left Behind rules looser in Minnesota
Minnesota Star Tribune, February 18, 2009

Study: Texas sets bar low for students on TAKS
Austin American Statesman, February 19, 2009

Achievement bar illusory, school study concludes
The Greenville News, February 19, 2009

Does state ask less of schools?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 20, 2009