The investigation of the impact of accountability and transparency on the delivery of educational services based on the 2009 Race to the Top education reform in the United States

Abstract

In this paper, it will be discussed how the education system can change the accountability system and information transparency interference to achieve better delivery of education services. An accountability system means the existence of systems where individuals and institutions are held to account, and where they are incentivized, monitored, and supported in effective ways. Transparency interventions are the methods to disclose information to the general public. A case study of the Race to the Top (RttT) program implemented in the United States in 2009 and the value-added evaluation of teachers concluded that a competitive education grant program can stimulate reform of the national education system, both in funded and unfunded districts. The positive impact of the program on the funded states is insignificant. The reason may be that the spillover effect of the program makes the unaided states enhance their educational delivery autonomously and blurs the distinction between the funded states and them. A value-added evaluation system that overemphasizes achievement has led to "test score pollution" that undermines the ability of test scores to effectively reflect educational achievement. Excessive education system reform has also placed administrative and operational burdens and increased costs on the education sector. In addition, the lack of acceptance of the "citizen's voice" makes the program lack critical elements of public satisfaction and performance completion.