Education Standards

Nearly everyone agrees that U.S. education is in deep trouble. Many experts think the solution lies in establishing nationwide standards describing what every student should learn in core academic subjects. Spurred by 21st-century goals set by the Bush and Clinton administrations, teams of specialists are at work designing content standards in math, science, English and social studies. Many in the standards movement also advocate a nationwide system of state- administered tests to gauge whether content standards are met. Critics, however, warn of federal intrusion on local education prerogatives. Others worry that disadvantaged and minority children will suffer if standards are imposed without first equalizing education funding.