Accountability Gap Quiz (Seventeen Magazine Style)
And it may reveal more than who your lifelong bestie will be
I am one of those elder millennials, which I have come to embrace. Growing up in the 90s meant a few Seventeen Magazine quizzes.
Recently, I posted a series about the accountability gap.
Now, I am living my elder millennial fantasies and giving you a quiz. I’ve already used this in the field a couple of times, and it has led to much more thoughtful planning regarding changes, big and small.
Accountability Gap Reflection Quiz
Identify the biggest barrier to execution in your school.
For each question, select the answer that best describes your current reality. Keep track of your answers (A, B, C, D, or E).
1. When a new initiative is introduced in your school…
A) People are unclear on what success looks like.
B) No one is sure who is ultimately responsible for making it happen.
C) There aren’t enough resources, time, or support to execute it well.
D) It starts strong but fizzles out due to lack of follow-up.
E) There are few real consequences for success or failure.
2. When staff members struggle to meet expectations…
A) They often say they didn’t fully understand what was expected.
B) People assume someone else was responsible for key tasks.
C) They cite lack of time, training, or tools as a barrier.
D) There’s little structured follow-up to check on progress.
E) There are no real incentives or accountability measures in place.
3. What’s the most common reason big goals aren’t met in your school?
A) Expectations were too vague or confusing.
B) There was no clear owner driving the work forward.
C) People lacked the support or capacity to follow through.
D) Progress wasn’t monitored or reinforced consistently.
E) Nothing happens when goals are met—or missed.
4. When something goes off track in your school…
A) People disagree on what was supposed to happen in the first place.
B) Everyone assumes someone else was handling it.
C) Staff cite external barriers (time, tools, training) as the issue.
D) There’s no system in place to catch and course-correct quickly.
E) There’s no real urgency or consequence for it not happening.
5. If you could improve one thing about accountability in your school, it would be…
A) Setting clearer expectations upfront.
B) Making sure every goal has a clear owner.
C) Providing better support and resources.
D) Strengthening follow-through and tracking progress.
E) Ensuring there are meaningful stakes for success and failure.
Results: What's Your Accountability Challenge?
Mostly A’s: Expectations – Your team needs clearer communication on what success looks like. Consider using SMART goals and defining success measures upfront.
Mostly B’s: Ownership – Diffusion of responsibility may be holding your school back. Assign clear owners for each goal and establish accountability structures.
Mostly C’s: Resources – Lack of time, tools, or training is a major barrier. Conduct a gap analysis to ensure teams have what they need to succeed.
Mostly D’s: Follow-Through – Execution breaks down due to weak progress monitoring. Build stronger check-in systems and reinforce accountability consistently.
Mostly E’s: Consequences – Without meaningful stakes, people aren’t motivated to act. Consider celebrating wins and reinforcing the impact of success and failure.