Addressing Accountability Issues Including Comparability in the Design and Implementation of an Innovative Assessment and Accountability System

Published:
Topics: Education Policy, ESSA

The purpose of this brief is to support states in planning for a successful Demonstration Authority application by providing key conceptual and technical considerations related to promoting and evaluating comparability in an innovative assessment and accountability pilot. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, KnowledgeWorks and the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment (Center for Assessment) have partnered to help states better understand and leverage the new Innovative Assessment and Accountability Demonstration Authority authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The goal of this partnership is to help states identify and explore a set of readiness conditions that are critical to the development of a high quality application and implementation process under this new authority.

While we share a history of advocacy for next generation assessments, our organizations each bring a unique perspective to this work. KnowledgeWorks focuses on policy development, partnering with states, districts and educators to identify and remove policy barriers that inhibit the growth of personalized learning. The Center for Assessment specializes in the design of assessment and accountability systems, helping states, districts and other entities improve the quality of these systems and maximize student success.