A Comparative Analysis of Educational Accountability in the UK and USA

Author: Ching-Shan Wu(Graduate School of Educational Administration and Evaluation ,Taipei Municipal University of Education), Ching-Chin Tsai　(Ping Jen Senior High School)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 51, No. 1
Date：April 2006
Pages：1-21
DOI：10.3966/2073753X2006045101001

Abstract：

Beginning in the 1990s, the UK and USA have promoted accountability as a means of improving educational performance and fulfilling educational objectives. This article aims at probing into the origins of educational accountability and the ways in which it is currently practiced in these two countries, and then makes a comparative analysis. From this analysis there have emerged some useful guidelines for the further development of education in Taiwan. Namely, we must:
1.Focus on reforms which enhance effective learning, so that every child may have a change to succeed.
2.Give practice student achievement tests in both elementary and secondary school.
3.Encourage every school to publish its achievement "report card" so that it will be accountable to the public.
4.Establish a mechanism for "sanactions" of "failing" schools in order better to ensure the quality of our students' education.

Keywords：accountability, educational accountability, school accountability, achievement tests, mechanism for sanactions

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