Student Test Results in School Accountability

This article examines the use of student achievement test scores in test-based accountability systems that hold schools or teachers accountable for student performance. A variety of approaches have been used to create aggregate student achievement measures, or accountability indices. These range from simple status-based or cohort-to-cohort average scores to complex, multivariate value-added models. Each approach has strengths and limitations, and they vary in the extent to which they support inferences about educators' effectiveness. Moreover, all of these methods are subject to problems stemming from the use of achievement test scores as outcome measures.