Few youngsters go directly home. Instead, they attend after-care programs. Some go to childcare before school begins. Ask an elementary student what they learned in school today and they will mention things like Accelerated Reader, Science Olympics, Young Authors, Battle of the Books, and Math Expo. Mastery of subjects by grade level is the measure of progress.
Students keep portfolios of their work.
Some can even tell you what academic benchmarks and standards are all about. Many of these demands have come from society, which has also undergone considerable change. More students than ever live with a single parent. As the family structure has changed, schools have assumed greater responsibilities. Ask someone what the most common language in the world is, and English or Chinese is the likely reply.