The State Board of Education has taken another step in the journey toward establishing an accountability system for K-12 education in Washington.

Meeting in Tumwater this past week, the Board adopted a resolution to the state Legislature outlining a framework for K-12 system performance accountability. The resolution is intended to set forth guiding principles and key components for a new statewide accountability system that should be considered as the Legislature looks at redefining basic education and reforming the K-12 finance system.

The SBE resolution has undergone a number of changes since it was first drafted in early December, many as a result of input from WSSDA. Last November, the WSSDA Board of Directors adopted a resolution underscoring its support for a K-12 accountability system that respects the "ultimate authority" of local school boards. The WSSDA board resolution emphasized the need to recognize the funding challenges and operational constraints placed on local districts, and also noted stronger accountability should be reciprocal, that is, accompanied by comprehensive K-12 funding reform.

	WSSDA AudioCast
Interview with WSSDA President Martha Rice regarding the SBE accountability resolution (10 min.)

WSSDA President Martha Rice (Yakima) was on hand during the State Board meeting to offer comments and suggestions, several of which were incorporated in the final SBE resolution. A copy of her testimony is available in the links at right.

The resolution adopted by the State Board acknowledges the need for reciprocity and recognizes "the critical role of local school boards in developing a new state accountability system as well as the need to create a new collaborative mechanism to require certain school district actions if student achievement does not improve." It also urges the Legislature to provide SBE, OSPI and local school boards with the appropriate legal authority and resources to implement a new accountability system.

The resolution envisions an approach of "academic watch" for schools or districts that are persistently struggling with student achievement. Districts placed on academic watch would be asked to develop a response plan in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The local school board would remain responsible for implementing the plan and reporting progress to the community.

A key component of the SBE's approach is the development of an accountability index that measures student achievement "using criteria that are fair, consistent, transparent and easily understood." During the January meeting, State Board members received an update on development of the index, including several suggested modifications. A summary of the proposed changes is available on the SBE Web site.

The resolution notes that the State Board "will continue to refine the details of the accountability system by working with its education, parent, business and community partners over the next year."