Guest Commentary: Inspecting the Inspectprate--Why Not Start with Online Schools

In his "The Quick & The Ed" blog, Education Sector Managing Editor Bill Tucker launched a debate about reviving the traditional of physical visits to school campuses as a part of an accountability program.
It's done in England, Tucker says, but he wonders, would in work in the United States?
Needless to say, this concept has stirred up some dust.
"The problem with big new ideas is often the very thing that makes them appealing: they are disruptive towards the status quo, making them extremely difficult to either imagine or implement. And, in the context of state accountability systems, school inspection is a big idea," Tucker wrote.
"Nowhere are our current oversight and school accountability systems more lacking than when it comes to assessing the performance of online and other alternative schools. While test score data and measures such as adequate yearly progress (AYP) have limitations for all schools — particularly those serving disadvantaged students — they are even more problematic for virtual schools operating on competency-based and other alternative educational models," he continued.
Tucker understands that it is impossible to physically visit an online school, but he does have some ideas on how to "balance accountability with innovation. Click here to find out more.