In addition to the twenty postulates, NNER settings share common values that influence the way in which they approach their overall mission of simultaneous renewal of schools and the education of educators. Partner schools recognize and honor diversity, commit to multicultural curricula and culturally responsive practice, prepare individuals for active participation in a democratic society, and promote social justice. Partner schools contribute to the growth of students as citizens in a democratic society, as contributors to a healthy economy, and as fully human individuals versed in the arts and ideas that help them take advantage of their talents. In short, they are schools prepared to enculturate learners for participation in a democratic society. Partner schools enable educators to make educational decisions with students and other stakeholders.
Partners create educative communities that seek to develop a more just and sustainable society.
In what follows, the general expectations are arranged in relation to the four major purposes of partner schools. School and university educators from the NNER settings met on four occasions and helped to develop the following general expectations and associated examples. As partner schools in NNER settings develop, they will use these guidelines to help them determine how well they are accomplishing each of the four major purposes, how consistent their work is with the postulates, and whether their work is really guided by the set of shared values. Each NNER setting is unique. Consequently, during the next five years no two settings are likely to make the same amount of progress.