Standards That Exist Political and economic leaders around the world use the term 'standards' frequently. The lesson we should draw is to not overly tax ourselves over terminology, but rather concentrate on the different concepts which standards imply. First, as in first in the world. This can imply either a leader in setting the standard in the first place, such as space fight, or being first in an already existing standard, such as an olympic sport. Second use is that of an ideal norm.
Many countries use labor market adaptability as an ideal performance norm.
The third use is a minimum criterion for entry or a license to practice. The effort to establish European vocational standards is an example of this. The current debate over standards between Moscow Municipal Schools and the Russian Federal government. This hinges on the degree to which students need to be motivated by the curriculum. The standard favored by the Moscow school system is that of a 'world standard' sought by all large urban school systems experiencing difficulty motivating children.