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Domestic Excellence
Advancing Accountability in Education
“Quality education for everyone, of every background, remains one of the most urgent civil rights issues of our time.”
—President George W. Bush
37%
of 4th grade students are proficient in science
41%
of 4th grade students are proficient in math
35%
of students are proficient in reading
High standards, quality assessments tied to those standards, and meaningful consequences for low performance lead to increases in achievement for children of all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic status.
Wide achievement gaps exist in the United States -- low income and minority students in particular lag behind their peers. On a global scale, students in the U.S. consistently rank below children in other countries in the core subjects of reading, math, and science.
Public sentiment and policymakers have retreated on accountability. Annual assessment data on student academic performance informs parents, educators, and the public about how our schools are performing, and helps identify where research-based interventions are necessary.
- State of Our Cities
In Depth: Profiles of Education Performance Around the Nation
www.bushcenter.org/stateofourcities - Contact
[email protected] - Media Inquiries
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Educator Resources
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College and Career Readiness
Students must be prepared for both college and career — not one over the other.
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Chronic Absenteeism
Each school year, approximately 6.8 million students miss at least 15 days of school, putting academic success at risk.
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Afterschool and Summer Learning
In communities with strong afterschool programs, youth have more learning opportunities and commit fewer crimes.
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Middle School
Being off-track on just one key indicator signals that a sixth grader graduating high school on time drops to 15-20 percent.
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Principal Talent Management Framework
Best practices for attracting, supporting, and retaining effective principals
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Effective Implementation Framework
How schools and districts can make lasting changes in practice and policy.
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Commentary
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The STAAR is Born, Thanks to Teachers
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Preparing for 2030 Requires Knowing Whether Students are Ready
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Validity, Reliability, and Feasibility are Key to Developing Quality Tests
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How Teachers Help Texas Create Its State Exams
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Disruptions Present Opportunities to Do Something New in School Testing
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Demystifying Tests for Parents
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High-Quality, Fair Tests Can Help Students with Disabilities
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Assessments and the Building of Knowledge
In the News
Latest Press Releases & Headlines View all-
Three Questions Texas Parents Should Ask Their Children’s Teachers
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Beyond the Scantron: ‘Kids in a Class That Is Tested Are Going to Learn a Lot More Than One That’s Not,’ Says Leading Texas Teacher
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Beyond the Scantron: Former Dallas Superintendent Mike Miles on Why Testing Is Essential to Know Where Students Are At — and Is a Key Tool in Preparing Them for the 2030 Workforce
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Beyond the Scantron: Ed Tech CEO Larry Berger on Why the Pandemic Is No Excuse to Abscond Accountability and ‘Disruptions Are Great Opportunities to Try Something New’
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Beyond the Scantron: How a STAAR Is Born — In Texas, Those Closest to Daily Instruction Play a Major Role in Developing the State Exam
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Beyond the Scantron: Back-to-School 2020 Should Start With Assessments to Determine How COVID-19 Shutdown Impacted Student Achievement, Says Former Massachusetts Ed Leader
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Beyond the Scantron: Two Parent Leaders on How to Make State Tests and Results Understandable for Parents
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Beyond the Scantron: Special Education Expert Sheryl Lazarus on How Fair, High-Quality Tests Have Led to Improved Instruction for Students With Disabilities and English Learners
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Interviews from Governor Bill Haslam and Four State Leaders Added to the Bush Institute's "A" Word Series on Accountability
Education Reform
Ensuring all U.S. students are prepared for college and a career
