ABSTRACT
The term “continuous improvement” is used across industries to describe a process or approach to problem solving that represents an ongoing effort to improve outcomes. In education, Park, Hironaka, Carver, and Nordstrum characterize continuous improvement as “the act of integrating quality improvement into the daily work of individuals in the system”. Continuous improvement involves a cyclical approach to problem solving: it allows relevant actors to reflect on their work, identify problem areas, pilot potential solutions to those problems, observe and evaluate interventions, and adapt interventions based on data collected. The federal Department of Education had an initially strong voice in supporting accountability for Educator Preparation Program (EPP) performance, with implications for continuous improvement. EPPs in the United States are operating in a context of increasing accountability policies at both the state and federal level. State licensure and EPP certification regulations are one lever by which continuous improvement efforts are driven.
