Standards

“Standards hold the greatest hope for significantly improving student achievement. Every other policy mandate we’ve tried hasn’t done so.”

— Robert J. Marzano*

The Challenge

Consistently high expectations are essential to prevent some students from receiving less rigorous instruction. Educators at all levels are crucial in developing and reviewing standards to ensure clarity, coherence, and successful implementation.

What We Do

We provide research, analysis, and resources to support decisions around creating, implementing, and evaluating standards. Our customized evaluations offer actionable insights on content validity, alignment with standards, gaps, overlaps, and other questions from state and local education agencies.

Brief

State of the States Brief: Standards

Reviews the changes states have made in their K–12 content standards in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies since 2019.

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Brief

Ethnic Studies Standards—Statewide Initiatives

This brief covers state initiatives for ethnic studies standards in California, Indiana, Oregon, and Texas, with links to meeting materials and progress updates.

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Brief

Standards-Based Instruction and the Role of Standards in Improved Student Outcomes

Transparency and consistency are key to standards-based instruction. This brief provides an overview and guidance on implementing it effectively.

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“We engaged with WestEd to support the work of a Media Literacy Advisory Committee. WestEd went above and beyond to provide a review of the state’s standards with respect to media literacy and suggestions for committee actions. WestEd also provided a review of media literacy programs for the committee’s consideration.”

— Dr. Melissa Colsman, Associate Commissioner of Student Learning, Colorado Department of Education

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*Scherer, M. (2001). How and why standards can improve student achievement: A conversation with Robert J. Marzano. Making Standards Work, 59(1), 14–18.