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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 Brief

A New System for K-12 Education in Qatar

RAND participated in Phase I of Qatar's K-12 reform initiative, Education for a New Era, an effort to build a world-class standards- and choice-based education system.

Apr 8, 2007
Report

Qatar Successfully Implements Redesign of Education System

In only a few years, the State of Qatar has successfully implemented a bold redesign of its K-12 education system, incorporating school autonomy, variety in curriculum, parental choice and accountability measures.

Apr 1, 2007
Journal Article

Testing for Accountability in K-12

This chapter provides a brief history of large-scale K-12 achievement testing in the United States, focusing primarily on trends in the uses of tests over the past several decades.

Jan 1, 2006
Report

External Audiences for Test-Based Accountability

Two key external audiences are involved in public education and frequently use data from schools and districts in their work: print journalists and foundation program officers.

Dec 20, 2004
Commentary

Parents of Schoolchildren: Start Your Information Engines

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Oct 10, 2004
Report

Organizational Improvement and Accountability: Lessons for Education from Other Sectors

Describes accountability models in the manufacturing, job training, legal, and health care sectors; summarizes their effectiveness; and draws specific lessons for educators.

May 2, 2004
Report

Integrating findings from Surveys and Case Studies: Examples from a Study of Standards-Based Educational Reform

Integrating findings from Surveys and Case Studies: Examples from a Study of Standards-Based Educational Reform

Jan 1, 2003
Journal Article

Combining Surveys and Case Studies to Examine Standards-Based Education Reform

This paper uses examples from the study of the effects of the Washington education reform to explore how these methods can be used in complementary ways. It presents specific examples of the benefits of using both methods and makes recommendations for more effective integration of case study and survey methods in the future.

May 1, 2002
Research Brief

The Use and Misuse of Test Scores in Reform Debate

Sort out how the reform debate has used test scores, what has really happened to them and why, and what the answers imply for future debate.

Jan 1, 1994
People

Ashley Woo

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education B.A. in political economy, University of California, Berkeley
People

Stephani L. Wrabel

Policy Researcher; Faculty, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education Ph.D. in urban education policy, University of Southern California; M.Ed. in student personnel in higher education, University of Florida; B.A. in psychology, Boston University

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RAND Topic:
Standards-Based Education Reform

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