Creating School Accountability Reports

School Administrator, Nov, 1999 by Richard S. Brown

Gauges and Dials

Basically, the report card contains three types of objects. Bar chart gauges indicate standardized tests and achievement data and allow for national and districtwide comparisons. National comparisons are based on the mean percentile rank. Each bar represents a grade-level and subject-matter combination,

The color scheme is red, yellow and green to represent where the school is relative to the district average. A yellow bar indicates the measure is within the district average. If it is green, it is better than the district average. A red bar designates below-average standing.

Another type of information presented in this image is counter data--whole numbers, integers or ratios, such as the number of suspensions or expulsions in a given school year. These are represented graphically as an odometer.

The last type of information involves indicators represented by percentages. In this case we have measures such as attendance and graduation rates. These indicators are presented using speedometer-type dials with a range of values that use the same color-coding scheme. If the needle on the dial is in the red zone, it is below the district average. If it is in the yellow zone, it is around the district average, and the green values denote above-average standing.

The comparisons do not have to be against district averages. The comparison could be relative to school goals or the previous year's accomplishments.

The report card also includes a map that identifies the cluster assignment for each school in Los Angeles by geographic region. Red and green markings for special programs indicate whether a school offers after-school, before-school, evening or Saturday activities. It also indicates the number of students who participate in these activities.

Web Viewing

This single image conveys a lot of information. When you view these images on the Web, you can flip through the different school's and actually seethe. colors changing and the dials moving to different levels. That way you can see how schools compare to one another.

Report Card Prototype: Short, Well-Designed; Easy to Read

The research that Richard Brawn discusses in his article, "Creating School Accountability Reports," was conducted by A-Plus Communications, a consulting firm in Arlington, Va.

A-Plus asked parents and taxpayers nationwide two basic questions: What information do you want in order to hold schools in your community and state accountable for results? How do you want to receive this information?

Among its priorities, the public said it wants accountability reports to be short, well-designed and easy to read. (Parents and taxpayers also said school officials should have more detailed information available for those who want it.)

In response, A-Plus developed and tested a simple, six-panel, black-and-white prototype report card for the fictitious Jefferson Elementary School. An annotated version of the prototype, with discussion of the public's preferences by Adam Kernan-Schloss, president of A-Plus Communications, is presented below.