MySchool.edu— How Transparency in School Finance Influences Accountability; A Case Study of Australian Education Model
Advisor
Semester
Final Report
Efforts to increase learning outcomes through transparency and accountability initiatives are increasingly discussed in the education sector. This Capstone project analyzed the development and implementation of such a policy in Australia. In 2010, the Australian Government launched My School, a website that seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in the Australian education system by providing data on schools. My School publishes information on schools’ operational context, finances and resources, and student performance, and has the potential to be a model for other countries looking to implement transparency initiatives in education policy.
This case study is designed as a reference tool for policy makers, researchers and others, documenting the factors that both facilitated and hindered the development of My School in Australia. The enabling factors explored in the case study included national leadership, the policy context, government structures, political alignment, and existing data and technological capacities. The challenges included governmental and school sector coordination, opposition from stakeholders, and data protection concerns.
The case study also investigated the ways in which My School is used by various stakeholders, with findings indicating that the site is a useful tool for some parents, policymakers, education researchers, and the wider community. While there continue to be opportunities to strengthen and refine My School, stakeholders broadly agree that the site has become part of Australia’s education landscape. Lessons from the Australian experience can assist in the development of similar information-based tools in other parts of the world.
https://www.brookings.edu/research/investigations-to-using-data-to-improve-learning/