High-stakes testing pressures schools to raise test scores, but schools respond to pressure in different ways. Some responses produce real, broad increases in learning, but other responses can raise reported test scores without increasing learning. We estimate the effect of an accountability program on reading scores and math scores in Chile. Over a 6-year period, fourth-grade reading and math scores rose by 0.2 to 0.3 standard deviations, on average, and half the rise was due to the accountability program. However, many schools, especially schools serving disadvantaged students, inflated their accountability ratings by having low-performing students miss high-stakes tests. To encourage healthier responses to accountability, we recommend setting accountability goals that are attainable for schools with disadvantaged students, and providing incentives for all students to take high-stakes tests.

中文翻译：

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失踪儿童：智利学校如何通过让表现不佳的学生错过高风险的考试来逃避责任


高风险的测试迫使学校提高考试成绩，但学校应对压力的方式不同。有些反应会产生真正的、广泛的学习增长，但其他反应可能会提高报告的测试分数，但不会增加学习。我们评估了问责计划对智利阅读成绩和数学成绩的影响。在六年的时间里，四年级的阅读和数学成绩平均上升了 0.2 至 0.3 个标准差，其中一半的上升归功于问责计划。然而，许多学校，特别是为弱势学生服务的学校，通过让表现不佳的学生错过高风险的考试来夸大其责任评级。为了鼓励对问责做出更健康的反应，我们建议为有弱势学生的学校设定可实现的问责目标，并为所有学生参加高风险测试提供激励。