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When is 100% not 100%? The Use of Safe Harbor to Make Adequate Yearly Progress

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  • Morgan S. Polikoff

    (Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California Los Angeles)

  • Stephani L. Wrabel

    (Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California Los Angeles)

Abstract

Debate over the design of state and federal accountability systems is an important ongoing issue for policy makers. As we move toward next-generation accountability through No Child Left Behind's (NCLB) waivers and reauthorization drafts, it is important to understand the implementation and effects of key elements of prior accountability systems. In this policy brief, we investigate an under-researched feature of NCLB accountability—the use of safe harbor to meet proficiency rate objectives. We use school-level data on California schools between 2005 and 2011 to investigate the prevalence of safe harbor over time. We find dramatic increases in recent years, primarily for the objectives for historically disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, we find no evidence that schools using safe harbor meaningfully outperform schools failing Adequate Yearly Progress in the short or long run, casting doubt on the utility of the measure. We conclude with recommendations to policy makers, including state assessment and accountability coordinators, regarding accountability policy design in future laws. © 2013 Association for Education Finance and Policy

Suggested Citation

  • Morgan S. Polikoff & Stephani L. Wrabel, 2013. "When is 100% not 100%? The Use of Safe Harbor to Make Adequate Yearly Progress," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 8(2), pages 251-270, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:8:y:2013:i:2:p:251-270
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Seth Gershenson, 2016. "Performance Standards and Employee Effort: Evidence From Teacher Absences," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(3), pages 615-638, June.
    2. Seth Gershenson & Stephen B. Holt & Nicholas Papageorge, 2015. "Who Believes in Me? The Effect of Student-Teacher Demographic Match on Teacher Expectations," Upjohn Working Papers 15-231, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    safe harbor; No Child Left Behind; accountability; proficiency rates; student progress;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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