Standards Based Education Reform

The goal of standards-based reform is to establish objective metrics to assess student performance and teacher effectiveness, using standardized instructional materials and testing: Individual performance is measured against a set of common criteria rather than in relation to other students. RAND research considers the role of standards-based education reform, including the United States' No Child Left Behind law, in shaping global education policy.

Research conducted by: RAND Education; RAND-Qatar Policy Institute

Featured at RAND

Introducing RAND's Measuring Teacher Effectiveness Website

Many factors contribute to a student's academic performance, but research suggests that, among school-related factors, teachers matter most. What's less clear is how to measure an individual teacher's effectiveness. A new RAND Education website features fact sheets, blog posts, research briefs, and more on this important issue.

All Items (35)

Report

Implementation of the Common Core State Standards: Recommendations for the Department of Defense Education Activity Schools — Nov 12, 2012

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) recently adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This paper summarizes work by researchers at the RAND Corporation and others that can guide DoDEA in strategic implementation of the CCSS.

Journal Article

Standards-Based Accountability in the United States: Lessons Learned and Future Directions — Jun 1, 2012

Standards-based accountability (SBA) has been a primary driver of education policy in the United States for several decades.

Multimedia

No Child Left Behind: Ten Years Later — Jan 6, 2012

Laura Hamilton discusses what has been learned in the ten years since the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law in January 2002, including recommendations for addressing key limitations as Congress considers reauthorization.

Multimedia

What We Know About Measuring School Performance — Jun 29, 2011

At this June 2011 RAND Policy Circle event in Pittsburgh, a selection of RAND's top experts in education policy shared fresh, evidence-based perspectives on measuring school performance.

Journal Article

K-12 Education Reform in Qatar — Jun 21, 2011

Examines the progress that Qatar has made in implementing a comprehensive reform, begun in 2002, of its K-12 education system.

Multimedia

Why We Need to Study the Tutors Audio Commentary — Jan 20, 2010

Based on the results of statewide standardized tests, more than 15 percent of U.S. schools are in need of improvement. The students attending these schools need help.

Journal Article

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Volume IX -- Accountability Under NCLB: Final Report — Jan 1, 2010

Based on findings from two federally funded studies--the Study of State Implementation of Accountability and Teacher Quality Under NCLB (SSI-NCLB) and the National Longitudinal Study of NCLB (NLS-NCLB)--this report describes the progress that states, districts, and schools have made in implementing the accountability provisions of NCLB through 2006-07.

Report

Ending Social Promotion Without Leaving Children Behind: The Case of New York City — Sep 29, 2009

The New York City Department of Education asked RAND to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its 5th-grade promotion policy. The findings provide a comprehensive view of the policy's implementation and its impact on student outcomes.

Research Brief

Lessons Learned from Developing and Implementing the Qatar Student Assessment System (Arabic version) — Jul 29, 2009

This research brief summarizes the development of a standards-based student assessment system in Qatar, lessons for policymakers in Qatar and elsewhere, and challenges in aligning the assessment with future changes in the curriculum standards.

Research Brief

Lessons Learned from Developing and Implementing the Qatar Student Assessment System — Jul 1, 2009

This research brief summarizes the development of a standards-based student assessment system in Qatar, lessons for policymakers in Qatar and elsewhere, and challenges in aligning the assessment with future changes in the curriculum standards.

Journal Article

Standards-Based Reform in the United States: History, Research, and Future Directions — Feb 5, 2009

Summarizes the history of the standards-based reform movement in the United States and discusses how the movement has shaped educators' practices and students' outcomes.

Past Event

RAND Conversation on Holding the Public Education System Accountable — Jan 30, 2009

In a RAND Policy Circle presentation, education experts will discuss the key findings from research that examines the effects of standards-based accountability and pay-for-performance policies, as well as the roles federal and state governments and the private sector can play in setting standards and accountability policies.

Multimedia

Ending Social Promotion: Examining the Effects of NYC's 5th-Grade Promotion Policy — Jan 19, 2009

In this Congressional Briefing held on October 19, 2009, researchers Jennifer McCombs and Lou Mariano discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of a test-based promotion policy implemented by the New York City Department of Education. The findings will be of interest as many states and school districts are implementing test-based requirements for promotion at key transitional points in students' schooling careers, thus ending the practice of promoting students who have failed to meet academic standards and requirements for that grade.

News Release

Study Finds That 'No Child Left Behind' Accountability Systems Are Largely in Place, But Act's Promises Remain Uncertain — Nov 19, 2007

After five years of effort, states have implemented most of the test-based accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, and now must focus their efforts on improving poor-performing schools that have been identified.

Research Brief

A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar (Arabic version) — Oct 31, 2007

This research brief highlights aspects of Phase I (2001-04) of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Report

Education for a New Era, Executive Summary: Design and Implementation of K-12 Education Reform in Qatar — Oct 29, 2007

Provides an overview of the first phase of Qatar's K-12 education reform initiative, Education for a New Era, based on RAND's experiences in this ambitious, multi-participant effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Past Event

Policy Forum Addresses the Impact and Promise of No Child Left Behind — Sep 26, 2007

Is the No Child Left Behind Act working to close the achievement gap in U.S. schools? RAND Education policy analysts and a prominent national leader in education discuss the opportunities and challenges involved in making NCLB's promise a reality.

News Release

RAND Study Finds Qatar Successfully Implements Redesign of Education System — Apr 12, 2007

April 12, 2007 news release: RAND Study Finds Qatar Successfully Implements Redesign of Education System.

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