Accountability systems provide information that tells policymakers, the public, and others how well the education system (schools, districts, and areas) is doing. Information typically includes student assessment data and other indicators such as discipline or graduation rates. Accountability information can be used in different ways: to provide information to the public, to help all the groups involved reach agreement on how to improve the system, or to provide recognition and/or support.

Headquarters (DoDEA), Offices of the Deputy Directors (DDESS, DoDDS- Europe, and DoDDS-Pacific), Offices of the District Superintendents, schools.

An assessment that is substituted for a system- or district-wide assessment. It is used with students who cannot participate in the system- or district-wide assessment with or without accommodations. The alternate assessment ensures that all children are represented in the system- and district-wide accountability systems.

Activities available at the high school level that occur after the school day. The extracurricular activities may vary across schools to meet the unique needs of the school community.

A measure that reports student progress or achievement compared with predetermined levels of quality.

Student achievement data that has been reported by ethnicity/race, gender, or economic status. Reporting of disaggregated data identifies within-group student achievement patterns so that appropriate strategies are designed and implemented.

A term used to describe content or subject areas such as reading, math, social studies, or science.

Personnel who reflect differences in race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, and disabilities.

An assessment that is selected and administered throughout DoDEA for the purpose of measuring student progress or achievement.

A tool for measuring the quality and degree of implementation of a particular program. The tool includes research-based principles and practices that can make a difference in teaching and student learning.

A student assessment that is selected and administered at the school, district, or area level for the purpose of measuring student progress or achievement.

Strategies to support student success.

A systematic schedule to replace obsolete or worn-out items, materials, and equipment, e.g., athletic uniforms, furniture, musical instruments, technology.

A standard operating procedure defining the distribution and accountability of resources.

Adjustments to support student success.

A term used for reporting test results to parents and students. For example, if a student's national percentile rank is 71, the student scored higher than approximately 71 percent of the students in the national norm group.

A term used for reporting test results that has some of the same characteristics as percentile ranks, but can be averaged to make more meaningful comparisons across test results for different content areas and grade levels.

A measure that reports student progress or achievement compared with a nationally representative group of students at the same grade level.

Networks with a common goal of supporting student success which may include the following:

• parents/students/staff/military community;
• local school systems;
• institutions of higher education;
• military, businesses, and organizations;
• professional associations

Standards that describe how well students are expected to know the content. Performance standards also specify how students will show they know the content, as well as what knowledge they need to demonstrate.

A method of evaluation where students apply what they have learned through presentations, responses, and/or products. These assessments are under the larger heading of standards-based assessments, which are measures that are aligned to the organization's standards.

Programs, courses, and activities designed to further educate certified personnel.

The acceptable level of achievement as defined by the performance standard.

Distribution of funds, manpower, and materials.

Funds, manpower, materials, and community support.

The scale score is the basic score for the TerraNova standardized achievement tests. Scale scores for one content area test in TerraNova cannot be compared to scores from another content area.

A standards-based system measures its success based on student learning (the achievement of the standards) rather than compliance with rules and regulations.

Resources designed to supplement or enrich the educational process.

The collection of student achievement measures that are administered to all students at selected grade levels. The TerraNova, administered to students in grades 3-11, is one component of the system-wide assessment program.

A standardized achievement test administered to DoDEA students in grades 3-11 in reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies. Standardized tests are designed to sample the skills and knowledge that students are usually expected to acquire as they progress through the grades. Standardized test results can be used to make comparisons between schools, districts, or between DoDEA and the national norm group.

Programs, courses, and activities designed to further educate personnel at all levels.

A school, district, or area office.