Comment

Standards-based reform has been America’s premier education strategy for more than a decade. Its many backers seek stronger school and student performance and more equal opportunities for children, especially disadvantaged youngsters. Every state in the union claims to be engaged in this challenging and high-minded quest. Under both Republicans and Democrats, Congress and the White House have recast federal policy to support standards-based reform. Business leaders, school officials, newspaper editors, and teacher unionists all pledge their allegiance to this ambitious approach to educational renewal. Hopeful signs abound. Some states are boosting their scores, children are learning more, teachers are using surer methods of instruction. Education is attracting more high-level attention and political energy than ever before. Yet standards-based reform also faces genuine peril. Its enemies’ ranks are growing. Its allies sometimes falter. Careless implementation has produced snafus. The future for standards-based reform is uncertain. But the price of failure would be high.