Effects of the Washington State Education Reform on Schools and Classrooms: Initial Findings

摘要

Researchers from RAND are studying the implementation and impact of the Washington reform on school and classroom practices, focusing on the subjects of writing and mathematics. This briefing presents findings from the first round of surveys administered to teachers and principals in the spring of 1999. At this time, elementary schools had already administered the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) for two years (voluntary in 1996-97 and mandatory in 1997-98) and middle schools had administered the test for one year (voluntary in 1997-98). Thus, the results describe principals' and teachers' early responses to the state education reform. The findings are based on principal and teacher self-reports about actions taken in their districts, schools, and classrooms, as well as their opinions about the reform.