Reform advocates seize on results to bolster their goal of toughening NCLB accountability at the high school level.

Gary W. Phillips writes, “It would be unthinkable to try to monitor the economy if businesses in every state were allowed to have their own accounting standards. In education, however, this is exactly what we do have for our students and schools.”

Some in Congress voice support for a state-driven initiative, while remaining wary of an explicit federal role.

Jack Jennings, Caitlin Scott, & Nancy Kober write, “Hope should not be pinned on a single restructuring plan.”

Adrienne Ziluca writes, “The arts encourage critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication, and teamwork. By fostering self-expression, they also help bolster confidence and keep students engaged in school.”

State and congressional leaders agree on the need for common academic standards, but the federal role in the process is unclear.

James Shelton, among the latest Education Department appointees, will help oversee some $5 billion in education grants under the economic stimulus package, including the Race to the Top Fund.

The nation’s oft-criticized systems for evaluating the quality of its educator workforce are poised to receive increased scrutiny, thanks to an Obama administration plan to require school districts to disclose how many teachers perform well or poorly.