Yet it has happened. The network districts are also trying to align their curricula with their standards, usually by adopting new textbooks or alternative materials. Settling on assessments that measure attainment of standards and creating effective accountability mechanisms have proven more elusive. All the sites initially agreed to use performance assessments tied to their standards. A few have done so, mostly as a result of state testing programs, but always in addition to norm-referenced exams.
Strong forces work against using standards-based assessments.
They are expensive, increase the already heavy testing burden, and do not satisfy the demands of parents and educators for national norms. As standards-based components are added to some assessment systems, this may change. Currently, however, most accountability systems in the Pew Network districts are not tied to standards. Nor are they designed with interventions to help low-achieving schools improve. The network districts or their state agencies, along with districts and states across the nation, find it easier to declare sanctions than to create supports.