Parents are eager for results . Regardless of race, parents are impatient with the varying pace and impact of education reform. Parents are looking for solutions and actions that will improve the quality of schools immediately. They want to see changes that will help their children now, not wait around for changes that may or may not improve the quality of schools years from now. Citizens share high aspirations for students .
Public engagement is a critical element of the standards movement.
Although the locale and tenor of these conversations was different in cities across the country, the sessions yielded remarkably consistent desires of citizens. Common aspirations included increased and more equitable funding, high expectations for students, high-quality education in urban schools and sufficient parental involvement. In addition, parents want input into setting the standards that determine what students know and are able to do. Participants were willing to probe deeply and take on tough issues . Participants believe that schools and communities must address these cultural barriers.