(Vol. 1, No. 1 - Winter 1996/1997)
What Does "Standards-based Reform" Mean?
Some Pertinent Quotes
STANDARDS-BASED REFORM....
". . . shift(s) the primary focus away from the content of the curriculum
and toward what learners will achieve...A second aspect of standards-based
reform (is) the development of performance standards and associated assessments."
External evaluator for the Clark Foundation
". . . is when I see teachers discussing standards and saying `I have
to give this up' even when it has been their favorite unit for the past
20 years." Clark Fellow
". . . is when we start looking at student work as our measure and
not at KIRIS." Middle school principal
". . . is when we look at valued outcomes to drive the curriculum.
This should happen, not because it is what the state wants, but because
it is good for kids." Middle school science department chair
". . . Is saying: `Here are the things that we agree students need
to know and be able to do.' Schools need to start doing self-studies to
figure out if every moment in the classroom is moving us closer to those
agreed-upon goals." Middle school principal
". . . means that a teacher is able to say to a student: `At the end
of the year, or this week, or this lesson, you will be expected to do this,
or you will know when, or you will have to perform this.' It's a teacher's
expectation of what a kid can do and learn, what kind of benchmark he/she
can reach." Middle school principal
". . . is a shift in thinking. In the past, the focus was on the teacher.
Now, we're shifting to the learner." Middle school reading teacher
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