Students should be tested through a variety of measurement methods, such as essays and portfolios, as well as multiple-choice questions. Educators should attend to and integrate these into the curriculum. The Learning First Alliance calls for deep and rich curriculum and instructional programs that support the standards as well as high-quality, aligned assessment systems that measure student progress on ALL aspects of required academic standards, using a variety of measurement techniques. Adequate professional development for teachers and principals. The quality of teaching has a significant impact on student learning.
Higher standards require more of educators just as they require more of students.
Teachers must be knowledgeable about state and local standards, about the content they teach, and about a range of instructional approaches that will enable them to help all students. Teachers and administrators must understand how to use information from assessments and student work to improve instruction for both individual students and school programs. Meeting this challenge of ensuring well-trained teachers and administrators requires sustained and effective professional development. Both new and veteran teachers and principals need intensive and ongoing professional development with colleagues, mentors, and outside experts that enables them to upgrade and hone their knowledge and skills. The Learning First Alliance calls for an assurance that every child is taught by well-prepared teachers who are experts in their subject matter and in a variety of teaching techniques.