It encourages States and districts to plan strategically for and realize school change. By initiating, supporting, and sustaining coordinated school reform planning and implementation, Goals 2000 focuses improvement efforts on high expectations and achievement results for all students. Standards-based reform drives institutional changes toward improved teaching and learning and high student performance by connecting otherwise fragmented systems. Students learn best when they, their teachers, administrators, and the community share clear and common expectations for education. States, districts, and schools need to agree on challenging content and performance standards that define what children should know and be able to do.
Student achievement improves in environments that support learning to high expectations.
The instructional system must support fulfillment of those expectations. Student success stems from concentrating on results. Education systems must be designed to focus and report on progress in meeting the pre-set standards. Continuous improvement requires carefully developed accountability systems for interpreting and responding to results and supporting improved student performance for all children. The last decade has seen dramatic changes in American schooling, including increased public support for school change.