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

Many communities and states have begun using the math standards (developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) to transform teaching and learning in mathematics. They're re-examining and upgrading their math curriculum, assessment of students, professional development and certification for teachers, and more.

Model standards for teaching and learning in the arts are also now available. In March 1994, the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations published its standards for four disciplines -- music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts.

You may want to get copies of the math standards and arts standards. They can inform your school's, community's, and state's actions around one of the most important questions you can ask: "What do we want all our children to know and be able to do?"

You may also want to get preliminary drafts of model standards being developed for other subjects -- science, history, civics and government, geography, and foreign languages. Share the drafts with teachers and college faculty, parents and business people. Send your comments on the standards back to the group responsible for overseeing their development. (For ordering information, see "Voluntary Model Standards and Standards Projects" below.)

Most of the model standards will be completed in 1995 or 1996, but you don't have to wait until then to get started.

Call your local school district. Call your state department of education. Your state is probably in the process of developing standards in one or more subject areas. Ask if there is a fact sheet, brochure, or other information on what students are expected to know and be able to do.

Ask if there's a way that you can get involved or be of help.

To order Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, write:

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Order Processing
1906 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091

Item number: 398E1, ISBN 0-87353-273-2 Cost: $25 each (discounts for bulk orders)

To order copies of the National Standards for Arts Education, write:

Music Educators National Conference Publications Sales
1806 Robert Fulton Drive
Reston, VA 22091

In coordination with the American Alliance for Theater and Education, the National Art Education Association, and the National Dance Association.

Contact: Peggy Senko
Released: March 1994
Item number: 1605
Cost: $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers

Center for Civic Education
5146 Douglas Fir Road
Calabasas, CA 91302-1467

Also supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Contact: Charles Quigley
Completion: November 1994

National Council of Geographic Education
Geography Standards Project
1600 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

In coordination with the Association of American Geographers, the National Geographic Society, and the American Geographical Society.

Also supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities

Contact: Anthony DeSouza
Completion: October 1994

National Center for History in the Schools at UCLA
231 Moore Hall, 405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Also supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Contact: Charlotte Crabtree
Completion: November 1994

National Academy of Sciences
National Research Council
2101 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20418

Also supported by the National Science Foundation

Contact: Angelo Collins
Completed: February 1995

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Inc. (ACTFL)
6 Executive Plaza
Yonkers, NY 10701-6801

Also supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Contact: Jamie Draper
Completion: January 1996

For general information about content standards development, contact:

Office of Educational Research and Improvement/FIRST Office
U.S. Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20208-5524

[Appendix 1: Elements of Action Plan] [Appendix 3: Goals and Objectives]