Effects of the Washington Education Reform on School and Classroom Practice, 1999-2000

摘要

During the past five years, most states and many districts have undertaken standards-based educational reforms. One way that these efforts differ from earlier reforms is that they involve the adoption of content and student performance standards--explicit benchmarks of what students should know and be able to do. Another way the reforms differ from the past is that they seek to promote 'higher' standards that emphasize, among other things, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, many of these reforms also include accountability systems, with tests linked to the standards, and rewards and sanctions linked to school or student performance on the tests.