ERIC Number: EJ1143962
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1540-8000
EISSN: N/A
Standards-Based Reform: Everything Old Is New Again
Hull, Robert; Long, Don
State Education Standard, v17 n2 p6-9 May 2017
While much about the direction of federal education policy and regulation is murky, one thing remains clear. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) passed the torch of educational leadership back to the states, giving them a broad range of authority they have not exercised for decades. What exactly does this shift mean for state boards of education? ESSA provides unparalleled responsibility and opportunity for all states--regardless of the scope of their state policy authority: responsibility for creating a coherent set of state policies to drive improvement of educational outcomes for all students and opportunity to create a system that fosters local and school-level innovation and creativity. There is a natural tension between regulation and innovation, but they are two sides of the proverbial coin. Good state education policy articulates rigorous educational outcomes and accountability measures focused on excellence and equity. It leaves much of the "how" to those closest to students in the classroom. How can regulation and innovation be wed in a unified, effective system? The answer lies in the foundational standards that mesh policy and practice into a symbiotic, reciprocal cycle of mutual improvement. The key is fidelity to comprehensive, well-articulated standards that drive the development of both policy and practice.
Descriptors: State Standards, Educational Change, Federal Legislation, Educational Administration, Educational Policy, Elementary Secondary Education, Educational Practices
National Association of State Boards of Education. 2121 Crystal Drive Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202. Tel: 800-368-5023; Tel: 703-684-4000; Fax: 703-836-2313; e-mail: boards@nasbe.org; Web site: http://www.nasbe.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A