A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Standards Grants

Improving student achievement in the core content areas requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The key aspects of that approach include: setting higher expectations, articulating clear academic content standards, measuring student performance in valid and reliable ways, and ensuring that teachers have the knowledge and skills to help students meet these demands.

The Institue has undertaken a research and development effort that supports not only each of these aspects, but also provides for the comprehensive analysis of the results. Projects in the areas of content standards, assessment development, and professional development share the goal of increasing student achievement through complementary strategies. These projects include:

• State Curriculum Frameworks and Content Standards
  In 1992 and 1993, the Department of Education awarded grants to States to develop challenging content in key subjects. This project is the centerpiece of a bottom-up top-down reform strategy to improve teaching and learning.

• Assessment Development and Evaluation Grants
  In 1995 and 1997, the Department of Education awarded grants to States to develop assessments that can be used to improve classroom instruction, motivate all students to improve educational performance, and provide examples for students, teachers, and parents of the learning outcomes that can be expected for all students.

• Professional Development Partnerships for Educators Grants
  In 1994, the Department funded 27 partnerships designed to help classroom teachers and other K-12 educators guide students in attaining higher standards of knowledge and achievement.

• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
  The Department provides funds to support the development of voluntary professional certification of teachers, an activity that is helping to raise standards for teaching.

National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum and Assessment

This page last updated on December 24, 1996 (smj)