Systemwide Education Reform

In spite of the many education reforms that took place during the 1980s, most Americans see the nation's public elementary and secondary schools as average, at best. Few of the nation's students can successfully handle complex reasoning and problem solving, and U.S. student achievement in mathematics and science lags student test scores in other industrial nations. A growing number of educators and policymakers now believe that the best chance to improve student learning involves changing the education system as a whole. Attention is being given to improving student outcomes by determining what students should know and be able to do, and ensuring that all the key components of the educational system are directed to achieving those outcomes. This report describes how certain school districts across the country have undertaken systemwide reform efforts. In particular, GAO provides information on the relationship of federal education efforts to the experiences of the districts.

GAO found that: (1) local school districts reviewed are able to make curriculum, professional development, and assessment decisions because they have well-developed standards for student achievement at all grade levels, including requirements needed for graduation; (2) successful implementation of district educational reform depends on powerful leadership and vision, long-term commitment, technical assistance, additional funding, and strong support from teachers; (3) many large school districts often do not have leadership stability and experience financial and support difficulties; (4) increased federal and state leadership could facilitate district reform efforts to achieve higher standards; (5) although voluntary standards could help direct state and local reform efforts, they are not likely to result in widespread educational reform; (6) the federal government could help ensure that districts receive the technical assistance and professional development they need to develop high standards and make curriculum changes; and (7) the federal education reform strategy should consider reforms on a systemwide basis and balance the needs of local school districts to maintain control over educational standards and assessments.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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