The companion to a publication presenting new state standards for Oregon public schools, this brief assistance manual attempts to help school districts interpret some of the standards, to further elaborate on instructional programs described in the standards, to recommend more specific curriculum and program resources for districts to consider in developing and implementing local programs, and to provide guidelines for evaluating local instructional and support programs. The booklet begins with a brief discussion of the relation of the state standards to equal educational opportunity followed by information on curriculum balance in the instructional program and on available resources. Also included is a comparison of the 1976 and the 1980 standards. (Author/JM)