Use catchy titles, pictures, or other visual aids to capture and hold the audience's attention. A checklist of desirable characteristics for state and school district accountability reports is included for those who develop reports . Overview Increasingly, state education departments are recognizing that inclusive accountability systems and the public reporting of educational results for students are important tools to help students attain higher educational standards. Some states exclude students with disabilities from their accountability reports, others exclude students who take tests with accommodations, while others exclude those who have used specific types of accommodations. Similarly, state accountability reports vary.
Consumers indicate that there is often too much information, or too little.
Accountability documents also vary in their focus. Almost all states report on performance indicators for students in regular education, but very few include performance data for students with disabilities. Many states use these reports for accreditation purposes while others use them for technical assistance, diplomas, compliance with state requirements, or to generate local, district, and national comparisons. The indicators used in accountability reporting also cover a wide spectrum, from detailed financial information to student mobility rates, and from staffing information to minutes spent in math and reading. Many states use tables or spreadsheets, and some even use the Internet to communicate their educational results.