Imagining that a better way to account for what happens in a school is even possible can be a challenge.
But the work isn't about changing what you do—
—it's about learning to account for what you do in a way that creates and sustains trust.
Understand how your school is seen—and why that matters
Inside an organization, people often define their value by the technical work they do. But from the outside, stakeholders see that work differently—they view it through the lens of the benefits they expect in return for their trust, their support, or their investment.
When organizations fail to account for those expected benefits, trust breaks down. And in education, that trust has been eroding for generations, for the simple fact that the most visible accountability accounts for one or two of the things that matter most, and even then poorly.
But here’s the good news: Rebuilding trust starts with a simple question:
“What benefits do you expect from your school for your children?”
The answers reveal a much deeper and more meaningful picture than just test scores. They offer insight into what truly matters to communities.
When schools begin to see themselves through the eyes of those they serve, they can build a new kind of accountability—one that tells the truth, builds trust, and reconnects public education to its purpose.
Take control of the narratives and build trust on your terms
Every school leader wants the same thing: for the public to have a clear, honest understanding of what really happens inside their schools.
But schools are complex. They meet countless needs every day, and that complexity makes it difficult to communicate the full picture—let alone control how others talk about it.
The good news?
We don’t have to start from scratch.
Other professions have already shown us how to do this.
We’re all familiar with these models—how doctors, lawyers, and engineers describe their value and build public trust. These approaches only seem unfamiliar in education because we haven’t made them our own yet.
Gaining control of the narrative...
...just  means telling the truth about your work in a way others can repeat with confidence. It’s not about spin—it’s about clarity, credibility, and connection.
And it’s far more achievable than you might think, because you don't need a policy change or even permission to do it.
Build Charts, Signals, and Dashboards...
...that translate your school or district’s complexity into clear, actionable insights anyone—policymakers, parents, or community members—can understand and trust.
Schools and districts have long needed a way to say,
“Here’s where we’re effective—and here’s where we still have work to do,”
and have that message be understood, trusted, and acted on.
When that level of clarity exists, everyone—parents, community members, school boards, and policymakers—can make informed decisions that truly support schools.
That’s exactly what the Charting and Signaling process makes possible.
It gives schools the tools to focus on what matters most for their students—while clearly showing the impact of that work in ways that are honest, actionable, and credible to those outside the school.
Your Implementation Path
A clear, six step sequence for putting Benefits-Based Accountability into Action
Step 1: Discover What Matters Most
Start by identifying what your community and stakeholders truly value. This anchors your accountability work in the outcomes that matter—not just the ones that are easiest to measure.
Step 2: Create Coherence Across Everything You Do
Think of your set of benefits like a chart of accounts—everything your school does can be aligned to one. You’ll connect your strategies and systems to these benefits, creating clarity and purpose across all areas of your work in a way that wasn't possible before.
Step 3: Redefine Accountability
Explore what real accountability can and should look like in education. For many educators, this is uncharted territory—especially for those who have only known compliance-based systems. Shifting mindsets takes time, but it’s essential.
Step 4: Craft New, Truthful Narratives
Learn how to tell your school’s story in ways that resonate—stories that reflect both strengths and areas for growth, and that the public can recognize as true.
Step 5: Chart and Signal What Matters
Build Charts, Signals, and Dashboards that distill your school's complexity into clear insights. These tools make it easy for school boards, communities, and policymakers to see and act on what’s really happening.
Step 6: Share the Results
Policymakers and the public want to support public education, but they often lack the right information. When you show them a new kind of accountability—driven by truth and built without waiting for permission—you give them something real to stand behind. That’s how systems begin to change.
