So they are not just objects of somebody else's idea of what improvement represents, but are actually involved in it themselves as active participants in it. It will improve working conditions for teachers because they will then know what is expected of them and what's expected of their students. The kids will be better off for it because they'll know what's expected of them. And we can expect that they will do a lot better as both students and then eventually as workers when they get out of school. It will be a process that is both rational and interesting to them.
Standards are a win-win situation all the way around.
There is one clear and present danger. And that is people may lose energy and enthusiasm, as is frequently the case in social changes of this kind. So I guess I would offer that as a cautionary note. People should understand they should be in this for the long haul.