The challenge, of course, is to effectively implement the vision for mathematics and science classrooms called for in the standards. Note that the standards talk about curriculum, instruction, and assessment together, as a single vehicle. This reflects a new understanding of the three as an integrated system, not as independent activities. What unites them is a common focus on student learning. Standards shape what is being taught and how.
Assessment provides evidence for attainment of standards.
What's nice about the unity of the three is that you can enter any door to start the change process. If you keep the focus on learning, any change in one area will inevitably lead to change in another. For example, if you decide to move first to performance-based assessments, curriculum and instruction will have to change if students are going to perform well on the new assessments. Comparing Teacher Views and Classroom Practice to National Standards. Nancy Love is the professional development specialist at the Eisenhower Regional Alliance for Mathematics and Science Education Reform.