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8 Concluding Reflections
Pages 69-74

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From page 69... ... However, the discussion suggested that neither the precise role that standards play nor their effects have been adequately documented. A number of comments reinforced the idea that one reason for the lack of clear answers about the effects of standards is that there is no consistent definition of standards and standards-based reform. Read the entire page →
From page 70... ... Poor student outcomes should raise questions about the adequacy of curriculum, instruction, classroom materials, the structure of the school day and year, leadership, and other factors in education. Thus, for example, the goal of 100 percent proficiency by 2014 may be far less useful than establishing firm standards for states related to students' opportunity to learn. Read the entire page →
From page 71... ... Common standards would not be a promising strategy for saving money, but the significant costs are those of providing a decent education, regardless of the overarching policy strategy. Although the estimated costs of standardsbased reform and associated activities are higher than commonly recognized, they are still a minor fraction of education spending, especially relative to their importance. Read the entire page →
From page 72... ... Many seemed to agree that a bottom-up, grassroots approach to common standards would be the most likely to succeed, but such an effort may take time. Others argue that a political window is opening now, and that moving forward even with an incomplete and imperfect approach would be preferable to missing that window, given urgent pressure to address the glaring inequities in educational opportunity in the United States. Read the entire page →
From page 73... ... A local company, the Bridgestone Tire Company, he said, must interview 100 local high school graduates to find one who meets their hiring requirements. Companies that have been outsourcing increasingly desirable technical jobs to other nations, he said, report that these competing workers are not only less expensive, but also every bit as well qualified or better than those available in the United States. Read the entire page →

From page 69...

... However, the discussion suggested that neither the precise role that standards play nor their effects have been adequately documented. A number of comments reinforced the idea that one reason for the lack of clear answers about the effects of standards is that there is no consistent definition of standards and standards-based reform.

Read the entire page →

From page 70...

... Poor student outcomes should raise questions about the adequacy of curriculum, instruction, classroom materials, the structure of the school day and year, leadership, and other factors in education. Thus, for example, the goal of 100 percent proficiency by 2014 may be far less useful than establishing firm standards for states related to students' opportunity to learn.

Read the entire page →

From page 71...

... Common standards would not be a promising strategy for saving money, but the significant costs are those of providing a decent education, regardless of the overarching policy strategy. Although the estimated costs of standardsbased reform and associated activities are higher than commonly recognized, they are still a minor fraction of education spending, especially relative to their importance.

Read the entire page →

From page 72...

... Many seemed to agree that a bottom-up, grassroots approach to common standards would be the most likely to succeed, but such an effort may take time. Others argue that a political window is opening now, and that moving forward even with an incomplete and imperfect approach would be preferable to missing that window, given urgent pressure to address the glaring inequities in educational opportunity in the United States.

Read the entire page →

From page 73...

... A local company, the Bridgestone Tire Company, he said, must interview 100 local high school graduates to find one who meets their hiring requirements. Companies that have been outsourcing increasingly desirable technical jobs to other nations, he said, report that these competing workers are not only less expensive, but also every bit as well qualified or better than those available in the United States.

Read the entire page →

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8 Concluding Reflections Pages 69-74

8 Concluding Reflections
Pages 69-74