Compiled by Sandra Berger, reprinted with permission. A New Conventional Wisdom. Academic standards are central to reinventing schools and transforming U.S. education.
Higher standards are necessary to replace minimal standards implicit in most textbooks and tests.
Standards communicate that all students can achieve at higher levels and that teachers are reclaiming the profession. Standards also inspire systemic reform, create a demand for new improved assessments, and revitalize classroom experiences. The School Development Program, Accelerated Schools, and Success for All. Trends and Issues No. 18. ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.