Local Accountability

Local accountability is a term that refers to transformative systems and practices that redefine traditional conceptions of assessment and accountability in public education systems. A local model emphasizes the significance of community-driven initiatives and localized decision-making. This approach advocates for enhanced involvement of local stakeholders in the accountability process, ensuring that the unique needs and priorities of each community are effectively addressed.

Significant changes:

• Reducing the state testing time
• Using the individual growth of each student in the accountability system instead of change in accountability indicators from year to year, while retaining the ability to compare results
• Prioritizing student attendance in the accountability model
• Replacing the school climate and safety survey in the state accountability model with chronic absenteeism
• Directing school districts to develop a local accountability system
• Incentivizing local accountability
  • Local indicators of quality must include:
    • Vibrant learning experiences for students
    • Local measures of performance identified by community members
    • A method of displaying data that includes breaking down data by demographic groups

The charge is to develop a publicly available, online display that clearly communicates each applicable school and the district's performance on the locally developed indicators of quality, disaggregated by individual subgroups, where permissible.

“To build a prosperous Kentucky, we will launch an accountability system that is meaningful and useful to all our learners.”

• Locally Developed Indicators of Quality:
  • Are aligned with the academic standards
  • Allow all students to demonstrate their ability to apply grade-appropriate, standards-driven knowledge, content, and skills in real-world applications
  • May include additional locally identified indicators related to priorities established by the local community

In partnership with families and communities, students are agents of their own learning -- engaged in relevant, authentic, and joyful learning opportunities. Vibrant learning honors students' cultural wealth, gifts, and interests. Vibrant learning culminates in the application of knowledge and skills demonstrated through personalized products.