However, critics charge that test-based school accountability has several negative consequences for the broad cognitive development of children.

As the market ethos has taken hold, parents and politicians have increasingly demanded school accountability, and by that they mean better test results.

Republicans in Congress generally prefer to keep school accountability on the local and state level.

Governors support the whole concept of school accountability.

The bid arises from efforts in Congress to extend school accountability to post-secondary education.

At the same time, he has emphasized themes like fiscal discipline, school accountability, the streamlining of government services and gun rights.

"We have to get more serious about school accountability," said a White House education policy adviser who insisted on anonymity.

The president, for his part, needs to start the clock ticking on school accountability if he plans to show results by the 2004 elections.

Gore says he's for school accountability, but requires no real testing.

Interactive Illinois Report Card - for test results and other school accountability information.