Multilevel Modeling as an Analytic Tool for Evaluation of Excellence and Equity of Student Outcomes in Standards-Based Reform

Abstract

The demands of standards-based reform occurring in large, complex education systems over a significant period of time require informed decision making based on the best evidence available related to the theory guiding the reform, the implementation of the reform, and progress on excellence and equity of outcomes. Evaluators of standards-based reform are in a unique position to provide this evidence to guide deliberation and decision making, and multilevel modeling appears to be an analytic tool for evaluators that is well-matched to these needs of standards-based reform in education.