The Quality Programs Assurance System (QPAS): Sharing Responsibility for Educational Program Accountability.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The implementation and impacts of the Quality Program Assurance System (QPAS) within the Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia were studied. QPAS is a system of shared accountability for educational programs, with multiple levels of reporting. The primary goal of QPAS is to provide decision makers ,with quality accountability information on instructional programs and services in the school system. The study examined the successes and challenges of QPAS after the first 2-year cycle, at which point program managers completed formal review reports in their programs. Data were collected from program managers, evaluators, and high-level decision makers. Results indicate that QPAS has had an impact on program manager attitudes, the organizational culture of the school system, and decision-making about programs. An appendix contains a brochure describing QPAS. (SLD)