Accountability

The concept of accountability may be good, but I do not believe the State's focus on accountability in recent years has had a positive effect on student learning.  I am a parent, not a professional educator, but what I see in schools as a result of the emphasis on accountability is ...

Too much time spent on standardized testing that bores and discourages students and displaces time for learning.  

Teachers giving up creative strategies and projects because the educational benefits can not be measured.  

Too much money spent on testing, and not enough on adequate facilities and teacher training.  

Education depends on quality teachers, healthy supportive home lives and engaging learning environments. What good does looking at scores do when unions and tenure prevent us from getting rid of ineffective teachers?  We don't need any more tests to prove that lower income schools test less well.  More test scores will not help us feed children who are too hungry to learn.  Test scores don't solve the root problems.  Rewards and sanctions wont' solve the problems either.  It only wastes resources and punishes the already suffering.

The goal is not accountability.  The goal is engaging and educating our students and preparing them for a healthy and productive life.  More tests are not the answer.  

If accountability means more tests, then, no, I don't agree that accountability is good.