From our experience in evaluating charter schools, it is apparent that they struggle with establishing sound and reasonable accountability plans. Charter schools receive autonomy in exchange for accountability and most charter schools are not prepared to demonstrate their success in their initial few years unless they are obliged to do so.  We believe that when charter schools can demonstrate success and when they have sound and reasonable accountability processes in place, there will be increasing pressure on noncharter public schools to follow suit. 

Over the long term, we think that technical assistance to develop strong accountability plans and capacity building to conceptualize, conduct, interpret, and use evaluation data may be two of the most critical elements in this project.  Evaluation is a useful tool for improving what school personnel do to better meet the needs of students and the community. We perceive that the purpose of evaluation is both to prove and improve.   To this end, the methods employed combine rich and intense educational sessions with continuing support and assistance that will allow schools to gradually shift from dependence on the evaluation team to independence. 

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