This book helps with the implementation of academic standards and reviews the reflections and experiences of educational leaders who have been pioneers in the standards movement. The text features a brief overview of some of the questions that surround the topic of standards for content and performance. These questions include: why do we need such standards?; what should students learn and in what manner?; how should standards be set and by whom?; are these standards solely for the college bound or are all students held to equally high expectations?; how should student performance on content standards be assessed?; and what implications do standards for content and performance have both for schools and teachers? Topics covered include standards in the context of democracy, standards-based mathematics reform in practice, equity in the standards movement, standards for English language learners, and English-as-a-second-language standards enacted. Each chapter features a brief introduction of the topic and the expert who is cited. (Contains 14 references and a selected bibliography.) (RJM)