So far, fewer than half the states enforce such standards, Achieve says. Even without them, there are signs of a backlash developing against some of the ways standards are being imposed. So educators are paying close attention to a handful of states that have managed to produce success stories. Among those often cited are Texas and North Carolina. Both states have tried to create comprehensive approaches.
Flexibility is a key, educators say.
Each school needs substantial control over issues such as hiring, schedules, class sizes, teacher evaluations and budgets.