Towards a worldclass education system: accountability and responsibility

The last 20 years have seen substantial changes in schools, with a much greater focus on accountability. This has been driven largely by the use of international comparisons of educational performance through programmes such at Trends in International Mathematics and Science Scores (TIMSS) and Program for International Student Achievement (PISA). The need for accountability leads to the need to develop the skill of data-driven decision-making as a mechanism for making schools and classrooms more effective. Classrooms and student learning can be made more effective by focusing on three specific areas: curriculum and classroom management, the development of thinking skills and the relationships established between those involved in the education process.