Accountability in Missouri’s Public School System
As people debate the merits of school choice programs, opponents frequently assert that public charter and private schools are not held accountable whereas traditional public schools are. But if we define school accountability as tangible consequences for poor performance, does this claim hold up under inspection?
To answer that question, this essay looks at the structure of the accountability system here in Missouri and explores how the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the State Board of Education (SBE) have applied it to struggling districts in recent years. If you’re interested in learning whether or not school districts have been held responsible in a meaningful way in Missouri, click on the link below.
