McEwen-EducationalAccountabilityAlberta-1995 (1)

Educational Accountability in Alberta

Overview

• Author: Nelly McEwen

• Source: Canadian Journal of Education, Winter 1995, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 27-44

• Published by: Canadian Society for the Study of Education

• URL: JSTOR Archive

Context of Accountability

• Historical Background

  • Alberta's push for educational accountability intensified in the early 1980s.

  • Implementation of:

    • Student achievement programs

    • Diploma examination programs

    • Public reporting and evaluation policies

• Goals of Accountability

  • Focus on educational performance.

  • Communicate success levels.

  • Propose strategies for educational improvement.

Accountability Framework in Alberta

• Legislative Authority

  • Defined by the School Act.

  • Alberta Education provides direction and support to school jurisdictions.

  • School jurisdictions operate under elected boards, hiring superintendents to manage education delivery.

• Public Interest in Accountability

  • Taxpayers hold the right to scrutinize the effectiveness of education spending.

  • An indicator system serves as a tool to provide meaningful insights into educational performance.

Key Policies and Programs

• Achievement Testing Program

  • Students in grades 3, 6, and 9 are assessed in core subjects: English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

  • The goal is to provide province-wide performance information.

• Diploma Examinations Program

  • Administers exams in key grade 12 subjects to certify student achievement.

  • Purpose includes maintaining province-wide achievement standards.

• Annual Education Report (AER)

  • Mechanism for school jurisdictions to report their results.

  • Includes information on various programs and supports ongoing monitoring.

Responsibilities of Alberta Education

• Assessment of Education Quality

  • Evaluation policies apply to all educational entities, ensuring quality improvement.

  • The focus is on accountability at local and provincial levels through strategic planning and program evaluations.

Current and Future Goals

• Three-Year Business Plan (1994-1997)

  • Aimed at enhancing public accountability and educational performance.

  • Includes measures for effective school and jurisdiction governance.

• Proposed Strategic Actions

  • Expansion of testing programs.

  • Mandatory reporting on administrative and financial performance.

  • Regular assessments of educational effectiveness through established indicators.

Conclusion and Forward-Looking Statements

• Increased emphasis on public accountability through comprehensive testing and evaluation frameworks.

• Expectation for educational reforms to foster collaboration among stakeholders and maintain public confidence in the education system.

• Importance of communication and community involvement to ensure effective implementation of educational reforms.