01/10/2010

Discussion Points in Accountability


1.      Randomization in educational research is almost impossible, even more so in international studies.

2.      Ed research should be a dialogue.  Participation should include the evaluated, the design and the process of rating.

3.      Instruction looks most effective when the curriculum and the evaluation are aligned.  Is this teaching to the test?

4.      The instruments of evaluation are predominately norm referenced in design- not criterion referenced.

5.      Evaluation of process is more possible now.

6.      Most comparative studies reflect correlations rather than cause and effect.  This is true of test scores.

7.      Education placement and decisions are predominately political.

8.      Reducing the gaps does not necessarily raise the standards.

9.      Holistic research suffers from cost overload.

10.   The most enduring instruction occurs when the teacher is learning.

11.   Do professional incentives improve instruction?

12.   Is multiple-choice accountability project-valid?

13.   The teaching profession is treated as a labor force.

14.   The educator to a man shuns national standards  and is a reluctant participant in local standards.  However only a commitment will lead to resolution of critical ed issues.

 

Jan 10, 2010 2:56:16 PM | Education

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Sharron and Virgil Walker

Virgil Walker, M.A. and Sharron Walker, Ed.D are a pair of educators who have been teachers and administrators for a combined total of more than 80 years. Although, they spent most of their time in smaller public secondary rural schools in West Africa, California and Arizona, they have worked at all levels of education with a diversity of ethnicities and academic preparation. Mr. Walker is a reading specialist with practical experience in school and district wide programs. Dr. Walker’s is co-author of Principals as Maverick Leaders: Rethinking Democratic Schools and author of Keeping Democracy Alive: Principals and Teachers as Maverick Leaders.

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