Helping Schools and Districts Expand Their Definition of Student Success

Vodicka & Martin: Locally defined accountability models can include problem solving, collaboration & communication, whole-child outcomes and academics

As educators and researchers, we have been engaged in conversations with national education leaders on assessment and accountability for decades. We have studied what families and communities want from these systems. And we have read and re-read current and past education policy. 

Through it all, we believe this post-COVID, tech-accelerated world needs a pragmatic approach to accountability, one that measures conventional academic attainment and adds critical social-emotional and career skills to the mix. Most importantly, this approach must honor the unique strengths and opportunities each community faces and ensure all its voices are heard, including students, families, teachers, administrators, and business and local leaders.