Data in a Time of Accountability: Educational Policy Changes and the Constant Reminder of Inequity

• In Event: Using Data and Research to Achieve School Improvement

Abstract

The measurement of educational outcomes is intended to provide policy-makers an avenue to inform improvement decisions, however, the accountability black box continues to undermine those stakeholders involved daily, defaulting to prominent displays of rhetorical localized deficits. Thus positioning the question, who benefits from new data and transparency requirements. Through the lens of policy regimes theory we seek to understand who benefits the most from shifting school finance data discourse, and the demands for greater fiscal transparency. Preliminary results suggest state level courts, and individuals removed from the daily operation of schooling benefit most recent large scale data policy change. The findings also indicate the demands for fiscal austerity have led to unintended consequences which degrade public schooling.

Author

• David G. Martinez, University of South Carolina - Columbia