Accountability

Evaluation is essential for successful policy implementation and to ensure intended outcomes.  Accountability requires determining whether programs are implemented correctly, the right programs and strategies are used, progress is measured appropriately and children and families are benefiting.

This is established through both monitoring results (what we are trying to accomplish) and monitoring performance (how we tried to accomplish it).

·         Monitoring Results.  Through data, other information and consultation, it is possible to determine if the results we set out to achieve for children and families have been attained.  By reexamining the selected indicators we can measure our progress toward the desired result.

·         Monitoring Performance.   Oversight requires policymakers to determine if policy objectives have been achieved by focusing attention on the performance of specific programs or agencies. This involves reviewing individual programs and their impact on the lives of the people the program is designed to serve.

 

To determine if the strategies are contributing to better results and meeting performance standards.    

• Assign responsibility for realistic outcomes.   Responsibility for outcomes should be designated based on the appropriate roles, resources and capacity of public and private stakeholders.

• Establish oversight bodies that consistently review key actions by state agencies.

• Report progress to stakeholders and the community.  Require public availability of data to allow administrators, policymakers and the public to measure the state’s progress on key outcomes.

• Set specific goals and measure progress. The best accountability measures and systems for College Completion are about the what, not the how. Trying to micromanage how systems and institutions get there can stifle creativity. Be clear about which measures are most important. “Increasing the number of educated citizens in the state” and “Improving customer satisfaction in student unions” do not rise to the same level. There’s no one right way of collecting and reporting accountability data.  Texas has a good system for interactively querying accountability data and makes clear on the home page what some of the top-level priorities are.  Wisconsin has a clear, print-format accountability report that uses a simple +/- system to quickly indicate how the state is doing on each goal from year to year.