Standards

Sources: [|Wikipedia], [|DDESS]
 * **Standards** focus on the student learning and help them learn what is important. In essence, it is what the student should know and be able to do.
 * **Standard-based education** has measurable standards for all students. It is a process for planning, delivering, monitoring and improving academic programs in which clearly defined academic content standards provide the basis for content in instruction and assessment. Standard-based education has curriculum, instruction, and assessment which are defined by academic standards.
 * This education system took flight in 1999-2000 when the 50 governors and President George H.W. Bush adopt the system with standards. The Clinton Administration in 1994 passed legislation to ensure that all states implement standards in their schools which lead to the Bush Administration passing the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001.
 * Teachers use standards to decided **what they are going to teach and how they are going to do it.** This involves some creativity in making lesson plans that will challenge students. **Students see standards as goals**. After completing the course they should walk out the classroom door and have acquire knowledge. They can also use them as guidelines in completing assignments.
 * The **difference** between Standard-based education and Outcome-based education is that having standards gives students a goal to reach making every student pass on the same level. In Outcome-based education the student is evaluated by demonstrating the skills learned, This can make students on various levels. There is also no required teaching or learning style, activities are focused to be constructive.

[|The Pennsylvania Standards Aligned Systems (SAS)] -Through research and good practice, **six** elements stood out and if used properly together will provide schools continuous enhancement and improvement.
 * 1) **Standards**- What students should know and be able to do
 * 2) **Assessments**- Assessing, evaluating, and documenting in order to improve teaching and student achievement
 * 3) **Curriculum Framework**- Set of teaching topics by subject and grade level (Big ideas, concepts, essential questions, vocab)
 * 4) **Instruction**- Charlotte Danielson's framework for teaching focuses on the complex activity of teaching and breaks it down into four main areas
 * Planning and Preparation
 * Classroom Environment
 * Instruction
 * Professional Responisbilities
 * 1) **Materials and Resources**- These support standard aligned instruction and include Voluntary Model Curriculum (Lesson plans, multi-media)
 * 2) **Safe and Supportive Schools**- Promotes active student engagement in safe and positive learning environments. Includes **three**main areas.
 * Engagement
 * Safety
 * Environment