How State Accountability Systems May Overlook Low Performers

Even as education leaders are encouraged to look at the data to understand which pockets of students need special kinds of support for their learning, a new article and infographic from a research organization have suggested that some "subgroups" of students are too small to register on the radar, which means they get passed over.

A project described by the Regional Educational Laboratory Program set out to understand why some states had a disproportionate number of middle schools with low-performing students with disabilities. In one state, according to the project, middle schools accounted for two-thirds of all schools targeted for improvement under the rules of the Every Student Succeeds Act. As a result, those schools received additional support from the state to help those subgroups improve. But what about the same subgroups in elementary school or high school? How come they weren't targeted for extra help too?

The problem is tucked into the process states may use to identify the "Targeted Support and Improvement" (TSI) schools. Each state comes up with a plan for identifying those schools that underperform through their accountability systems. Those systems typically look at academic achievement, progress and graduation rates within their schools, among other aspects. Each state sets a minimum number of students that each school and subgroup must meet for each performance element before that element is included in the overall accountability score. Schools are tagged for TSI when their subgroup accountability scores are low compared to the overall student population in the state.

The study found that those middle schoolers with disabilities didn't perform "substantially and consistently worse" than the ones in lower or upper grades. However, the schools they attended were "much more likely" to have a sufficient number of students with disabilities taking the state exams to meet state-set minimum thresholds. That meant the subgroups' proficient rates counted more often toward those schools' accountability scores.

The researchers concluded that the sample sizes in elementary and high schools were just too small, thereby masking poor performance.

The article and infographic offered two ways states can overcome this blind spot:

To update their accountability systems so schools "are only compared with other schools that meet minimum sample size requirements for the same performance dimensions"; and

To incorporate statistical techniques to make the accountability scores or small sample sizes more precise.

The coverage of the project is openly available as a blog article and infographic on the REL Mid-Atlantic website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • geometric pattern featuring interconnected circuit-like lines, neural network nodes, and abstract technology symbols

    Innovate Tech X Launches Certified AI Engineer Pathway Program for High School Students

    Tech training provider Innovate Tech X has introduced a new Certified AI Engineer Pathway Program designed to help high school students attain in-demand skills and certifications in artificial intelligence.

  • smartphone with a glowing lock and shield icon at its center, surrounded by floating security symbols like a fingerprint, key, and authentication checkmark

    Jamf to Acquire Identity Automation, Pairing Identity and Device Management in One Platform

    Apple mobile device management company Jamf has announced it will acquire Identity Automation, a provider of identity and access management (IAM) solutions for K-12 and higher education.

  • teacher

    6 Policy Recommendations for Adopting AI in the Classroom

    The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on AI in Education has published six recommendations on adopting artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and universities. The guidance marks the commission's first release since it was established last February, with more recommendations planned in the coming year.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.