Abstract of

Consensus Through Accountability? The Benefits and Drawbacks of Building Community With Accountability

Tony Scott

This article presents some of the research from a qualitative study of a large-scale writing portfolio assessment that is attached to accountability measures. Drawing on interviews and class observations, the article examines the benefits and drawbacks of building community among teachers and students through high-stakes assessment. It describes the organizational logic of the portfolio system, comparing the ways that texts and professional development are used to create consensus among teachers and uniformity in classrooms with the way that they are used to rationalize operations within businesses.

Abstract from Scott, T. (2005, September). Consensus Through Accountability? The Benefits and Drawbacks of Building Community With Accountability. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 49(1), 48–59. doi: 10.1598/JAAL.49.1.6