National Education Standards

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Current reforms and initiatives based on the national education standards focus on student’s achievement and teacher’s preparation. Educational researchers and curriculum designers continuously find problems with standards and requirements on a state level and how the state and local boards of education focus highly on advanced placement and cultural literacy. A key focus is also accountability for students, schools, and school-districts in regards to academic performance. A new factor that has surfaced is school choice (charter schools and home schooling) and character development. Progressive teachers are able to guide learners to new experiences in every lesson. However; they are sensitive to unique and different learning styles which enable the learner to construct knowledge.

Educational standards and requirements are dictated from the government and then passed down through the state, school district, and school boards. Many believe that this unfair to citizens locally. The requirements and standards for achievement vary based on location. Each school district has the authority to implement achievement goals for its schools. However, they must fall in line with the guidelines outlined by the government. Various components come into play when developing a strategic educational reform method. The process should be viewed as all inclusive and various communities and partnerships should have a say in the preparation of standards that are being placed in such high demand.

Societal & Cultural Influences on Curriculum Development

Two main influences on curriculum development are society and culture. Many people have the mentality that curriculum development is not rooted through society and culture. However; when you actually ...

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...posed in regards to new leaders coming on board to propel the initiatives of Goals 2000. Lewis, (1995) believes that the next edition of standard based reforms will deal mainly with the classroom to improve teacher preparation, training, and professional development.

Works Cited

Encyclopedia of the Social & Cultural Foundations of Education, E. F. Provenzo, Jr. (Ed.),

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, forthcoming 2008.

Fusarelli, L. (2004). Educational Policy: The Potential Impact of the No Child Left Behind Act

on Equity and Diversity in American Education. Vol. 18 No. 1.

Goals 2000 Legislation and Related Information. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.ed.gov/G2K/index.html

Lewis, A.C. (1995). Phi Delta Kappa: An Overview of The Standards Movement. Vol. 76 Is. 10.

Retrieved from

http://www.sociologycentral.com/problems/readings/education/standards.pdf

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