The states, districts, and sometimes even individual schools that go through the process of writing curricular standards say the arduous task is well worth it. Schools and communities are forced to articulate their expectations for their public schools, thinking through curricular issues thoroughly. For standards to be successfully developed and implemented, the community as a whole needs to understand why standards are important, what the standards are, and how, as community members, they can support them. Community groups like local education funds have recognized that setting standards is a powerful means to promote equity and excellence for all students. They work closely with school districts to read and analyze statewide or national standards then adapt them to their community.
Local groups are also champions for standards' longevity.
The initiative, which goes from the beginning of 1998 the end of 2000, builds on the work of LEFs that are actively engaged in standards-based school reform and will enable them to intensify and showcase their efforts. It will also extend to LEFs not currently involved in the standards movement an opportunity to begin this work in their communities and to learn from LEFs that have had more extensive involvement in this effort. You can read more about the nine sites involved in the second phase of the initiative. The PEN Standards Initiative has its own area on this site. It includes online resources relevant to various aspects of standards-based reform.