Public high school students from the class of 2002 and beyond must complete 24 of 48 possible standards from the ten learning areas. Some standards are required for all students, while in some learning areas students may choose the standards they wish to complete. For example, students choose two of five different science standards. Standards are clearly defined expectations against which individual student achievement and progress may be judged. They outline what a student needs to both know and do in a particular subject.
Students complete a standard when they complete all of the work locally required for that standard.
These assignments ask students to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. Most school districts are offering standards within specific courses. Twenty-four standards does not necessarily mean 24 different classes. More than one standard can be completed in a course. For example, the Research Process and Academic Writing standards could be completed together as a student develops and uses research skills and presents the findings in written form.