Standards-Based Reform: Can It Make a Difference for Students?

Implementation of standards is among the leading approaches to school reform. With one exception, every state has developed or is developing standards for what students should learn in school. Initially, standards development has focused on communication (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and mathematics (math knowledge and problem solving). Standards related to other subjects are being developed as well. States are following content standards with development of assessments aligned to the standards. State standards-aligned assessments make it possible to establish performance standards, setting benchmarks for student learning. Becoming clear about standards and targets for learning by all students is essential to successful school reform. And if standards and benchmarks go beyond trivial, easy-to-measure concepts, they deserve a central place in school reform. Clear performance standards and benchmarks set the stage for accountability. When all stakeholders-parents and community members, students, school and district staff, state and local board members, legislators, and others-have a common, clear understanding of what all