The "A" Word

Accountability: The Dirty Word of Today's Education Reform

Why does accountability matter? What voices are missing from today’s debate?

Authors
Learn more about Anne Wicks.
Anne Wicks
Anne Wicks
Don Evans Family Managing Director, Opportunity and Democracy
George W. Bush Institute
Learn more about William McKenzie.
William McKenzie
Senior Editorial Advisor
George W. Bush Institute

Accountability. On its surface, the word simply means a willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions. Accountability applied to schools, however, has become so twisted and polarizing that it is now the equivalent to a dirty word. To mention it is to risk being met with stern, disapproving looks and accusations of being anti-teacher and a corporate raider looking to profit on the backs of kids.  What?  How did we get here?

As with all polarizing issues, the truth is much more nuanced and requires us to look beyond the sound bites. The A Word seeks to do that through conversations with recognized education leaders.

Read the introduction

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