The United States: School choice and test-based accountability

Abstract

This is an unusual time in the USA for policy concerning primary and secondary education-kindergarten through 12th grade. The forces shaping K-12 policy are remarkably aligned with both major political parties devoted to two fundamental approaches: test-based accountability and school choice. While these lawmakers differ over details, including the proper role of the federal government, there is little disagreement regarding reliance on these basic approaches. While individual states and school districts have embarked on enough different reforms so as to decorate this remarkably aligned political landscape with a variety of interesting gardens worthy of notice, this chapter focuses on explaining the history and current import of the two dominant policies.