Framework of four logics of accountability crossing process-outcome and external-internal dimensions¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 5 claims (5 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 5 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article theorizes accountability as four logics generated by crossing two analytical dimensions: process versus outcome accountability and external versus internal accountability. The authors state, "we use two analytical dimensions: (1) process versus outcome accountability (Patil, Vieider, & Tetlock, 2014) and (2) external versus internal accountability (Newmann, 1997)." Crossing these yields a 2x2 matrix of control-based, professional-based, test-based, and process-based accountability, each defined by where external control over outcomes and processes sits.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• The framework requires examining control over four school functions: assessment, human resources, curriculum, and budget

Constraints¶

• The framework is applied at the country level of analysis, and the authors acknowledge variations across regional contexts within countries

Target Learners¶

• school leaders and principals
• education policymakers

Target Learning Objectives¶

• understanding how accountability systems distribute control over school functions

Claims¶

• A few countries follow relatively pure accountability logics, but most countries follow mixed forms [+W]
• Distributions of external control scores differ across school-function domains, with curriculum skewing toward internal control [+W]
• Country classifications of control type differ sharply by domain: mixed control dominates assessment, internal control dominates curriculum [+M]
• Across 38 countries, external control is highest in assessment and lowest in curriculum and budget [+W]
• Extreme country cases: Spain reports universal external control of hiring while the Netherlands reports universal internal control of HR, curriculum, and budget [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Four-quadrant inferential framework for interpreting human attribution responses to robot design
• Four-type taxonomy of institutional forms organized on flexibility/control and internal/external emphasis dimensions
• Four-form taxonomy of accountability: outcome-based, rule-based, market-based, and professional

Examples¶

• Map accountability logics across countries by computing school-level external control scores in key school functions

Key Sources¶

• Kim, T. & Yun, J. T. (2019). Logics of accountability: Cross-national patterns in school-level controls. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27(119). https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.27.4597