Numerous ideas regarding school reform have been in evidence of late. One idea that has received increased attention is standards-driven education reform, which is the subject of this book. The text features an outline of a CD version, which is included. The volume is intended for interested laymen and professionals and features an eight-step plan for initiating reform. It shows how to build public demand for standards and reform, and demonstrates how to set up goals for organizing high academic standards, emphasizing the need to use the right criteria for a good standard when overhauling the curriculum. Ways in which to conduct an academic analysis and how to reorganize for change and build staff capacity are detailed. The text demonstrates how to hold students accountable, as well as schools and districts, and discusses how to evaluate teachers, principals, and superintendents. It describes how to develop new partnerships among those with a stake in school reform and what people can do to make continuous improvements to their schools. A checklist, which guides reformers in the step-by-step process of school reform, is included at the end. (Contains an index for the CD-ROM.) (RJM)