The Evolution and Nature of School Accountability in the Singapore Education System

Educ Asse Eval Acc (2010) 22:275–292 DOI 10.1007/s11092-010-9105-z

The evolution and nature of school accountability in the Singapore education system
Pak Tee Ng

Received: 10 April 2010 / Accepted: 12 August 2010 / Published online: 19 August 2010 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010

Abstract This paper describes and examines the nature and evolution of school accountability in the Singapore Education System. In particular, the different facets of school accountability are examined through a theoretical framework comprising four relatively distinct concepts of accountability as performance reporting; as a technical process; as a political process; and as an institutional process. This paper also examines the issues and challenges faced by schools as they respond to the demands of school accountability. Keywords School accountability . Policy . Performance indicators . Quality assurance

1 Introduction: School accountability In many educational systems, different stakeholders of schools demand schools to be accountable, each in their own way. School accountability is therefore a term that seems to have multiple meanings. Indeed, there are different ways in which it can be defined, presented or understood. For example, Stecher and Kirby (2004, p. 22) referred to it as “the practice of holding educational systems responsible for the quality of their products—students’ knowledge, skills, and behaviours”. Wöbmann et al. (2007, p. 24) referred to it as “all devices that attach consequences to measured educational achievement”. Indeed, as Levin (1974, p. 363) opined: Some authors assert that the provision of information on the performance of schools constitutes accountability. Others see accountability as a matter of redesigning the structures by which education is governed. In some cases accountability is defined as a specific approach to education such as performance contracting or educational vouchers, while in others accountability is referred to as

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