The Status of Standards Reform Communities across the country are working toward tougher academic standards in public schools, and they report making progress in some areas. Still, there is little evidence that the standards movement is forcing teachers to change tactics or students to work harder. Setting tougher standards for schools and higher expectations for students has become a major theme of education reform in the U.S., and nearly every state has made at least some effort to upgrade academic standards. Teachers, parents and students report positive results in many areas communications, emphasis on academics and advanced placement work.
Most teachers say they feel little or no pressure to promote unqualified youngsters.
Students report that most classmates only do the bare minimum to get by and fewer than half say a majority of their teachers are tough graders. Employers and professors are far more skeptical than teachers, parents and students about the value of a high school diploma. Employers and professors report recent graduates lack the basic academic skills needed for success at work or in college, although they rate graduates more highly on people skills. Teachers in urban areas are more critical of their schools. Most parents do not know how their child's skills compare with those of children in other cities, states or countries.